Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Measures
The ISTA Good Practice Officer (GPO), Hilde Janssens, is the dedicated contact person for EDI.
The following points are selected measures in place at ISTA:
Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
EDI Working Group. Aims:
- To set priorities, provide input and take decisions on EDI topics that have been identified at the Institute;
- To strive for an inclusive working environment for all ISTA employees;
- To provide input and take decisions on measures to improve the gender balance – in particular at the level of scientific group leaders – in research areas where women are currently strongly underrepresented, specifically mathematics and computer science;
- To act as EDI ambassadors at the Institute.
Commitment to gender equity and inclusion
With the current ISTA Gender Equality Plan, ISTA has set its sights on seven key aims for 2022-2026:
- Identify areas that require an improvement of organizational culture concerning EDI, psychological & physical safety
- Increase the number of women faculty in research areas where women are currently strongly underrepresented
- Wherever possible, ensure gender balance in decision-making among faculty
- Provide career support to young women scientists and dual career information to young scientists
- Provide possibilities to improve work-life balance
- Establish an all-gender inclusive organization
- Ensure that employees are aware of where to find support in conflict situations
Awareness raising and training
- Annual diversity monitoring
- Leadership curriculum for administrative supervisors
- Implicit bias trainings for all supervisors
- Soft skill training options for all employees
- Intercultural trainings for support staff
- Language courses (German and English) on campus
- Regular Equity, Diversity & Inclusion awareness raising at ISTA internal events
Support with personal challenges
- Conflict Management System
- Employee Assistance Program
Measures specifically for science
- Care-taker Fund – Financial support for PhD students and postdocs with care responsibilities
- Career development office for young scientists
- STEMfatale – Seminar series for women in STEM subjects
- Search committee for female faculty positions in mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science
- Participation of Good Practice Officer as neutral observer in faculty recruitment discussions
External commitments and collaborations
- Commitment to the following Charters:
- The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
- Commitment to the ALBA declaration on equity and inclusion
- Member of the consultation panel of the Austrian ERA Roadmap equality objectives
- Participation in the BMBWF’s diversity management award “Diversitas” 2016-2018-2020
- IST Austria received a recognition award in 2020
- State Certificate Audit WorkandFamily 2014, 2017, 2020
- Member of the EURAXESS Dual Career and Integration Services Expert Group
- EURAXESS contact point
More information: