Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at VIB
Our mission
The complex challenges facing society today demand collective action grounded in equity, diversity, and inclusion. These values are embedded in our research, collaborations, and institutional culture, and are essential to achieving excellence, fostering innovation, and delivering meaningful therapeutic advances for patients and planetary health.
We are dedicated to cultivating a workplace where diversity is celebrated and everyone is empowered to succeed, regardless of gender identity, nationality, background, role, sexual orientation, or family circumstances. Embracing diverse perspectives enables us to build a more creative, innovative, and impactful institute.
Our commitment goes beyond representation. Through targeted, measurable, and sustainable initiatives, we actively work to remove systemic barriers, address conscious and unconscious biases, and advance equity across all levels of our organization.
We focus on five priority areas:
- Gender equality: Through targeted interventions and initiatives, we are committed to further improving gender equality in our institute at all levels of the organization, be it in scientific research, technology, entrepreneurship, or support functions. Read more in our Gender Equality Plan.
- Disability and neurodiversity: We are dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive working environment that supports colleagues who are neurodivergent or have a visible or non-visible disability by better understanding the needs and existing barriers.
- LGBTQIA+: We will prioritize creating a safe and inclusive environment and put in place specific initiatives to allow all members of the community to flourish, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
- Cultural and linguistic diversity: In our very international institute, we value the multitude of cultures and languages and recognize the importance of creating an environment that celebrates and supports this diversity.
- Age: With 4 different generations working in our institute, we recognize the differing needs and also the challenges of intergenerational communication and collaboration. We strive towards an environment where everyone is given equal opportunities to learn and grow.
Actions and initiatives:
Actions and initiatives:
- We have a very active and engaged Diversity & Inclusion committee at VIB level, who help shape all the actions and initiatives, that is supported by local D&I committees in the research centers and HQ
- There are regular workshops and trainings available to all VIB colleagues, both in person and online. Some of them include Active Bystander approach and preventing and managing conflict.
- We regularly host guest-speakers and trainers on topics such as Autism at work, Menopause at work, Grief and loss at work. These webinars are recorded and can be viewed by colleagues on demand.
- We organise community events, such as a Neurodiversity allyship walk in nature, the LGBTQIA+ inclusive community meetings, international lunches or movie nights. These are shaped by and for the community.
- We aim at improving equity and inclusion by improving existing processes, such as recruitment and hiring, feedback, and empower colleagues who need them, to ask for reasonable accommodations.