VUB’s diversity policy
VUB had its first general diversity plan in 2005. In 2018, diversity became a transversal policy line within the VUB General Strategic Plan 2030 (GSP 2030). The Gender Equality Plan (GEP) for 2024-2026 includes targets such as
– a bias proof recruitment policy and equal opportunities in career development, together with a healthy work-life balance;
– at least 33% female professors VUB-wide;
– an optimised and expanded monitoring of gender and diversity parameters;
– inclusive campus and working environment where everybody is treated with respect.
The GEP is evidence-based with gender-disaggregated data collected across all staff categories. Directly dedicated staff to the GEP are the HR Equality Advisor, Annelore Wils (HR Department) and the CSR Policy Officer, Lisa Wouters (Strategy & Policy Department). For specific issues (e.g. recruitment policy, transgressive behaviour, research funding policy) by various staff members and working groups.
The VUB is a large organisation and, within the framework of the general policy, the faculties play an important role. The specificities of the GEP are defined and monitored by the faculties, as they are in charge of the education programmes, and the career development of permanent academic staff.
Equality research and education is widely present at the VUB. RHEA (Research Centre Gender, Diversity and Intersectionality) is a research centre specifically dedicated to gender and diversity. It regularly organises workshops and conferences, making research on gender and diversity visible to the VUB community and the wider public. Other research centres that have gender as an important research line are e.g. BIRM (Brussels Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Migration and Minorities) and BRISPO (Brussels Institute for Social and Population Studies).
The structure and function of VUB’s GEO
The GEO of the VUB is situated at the level of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Solvay Business School. The GEO is an advisory board that reports to the faculty’s bureau. The faculty aims to establish an institutionalised consultation of its staff and students (including contractual staff and doctoral students) on their working conditions and employment relations. In this respect, the faculty and its GEO aim to be a reference for other VUB faculties when it comes to a diversity and inclusion policy.
VUB’s GEO members and expertise
The GEO is installed as an advice committee to the Academic Director of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Solvay Business School. As a rule, the GEO meets every three months.
The composition of the GEO at VUB’s Faculty of Social Sciences & Solvay Business School (September 2024):
- Member – Chair, Diane Breesch, Professor of Accountancy, and Academic Director of the Faculty
- Member – Secretary, Saskia Van Hoyweghen, Faculty Secretary
- Member, Ella Oelbrandt, Researcher in Sociology
- Member, Marie-Anne Guerry, Professor of Mathematics, and Vice-Dean of the Faculty
- Member, Christophe Vanroelen, Professor of Sociology
- Member, Karen Celis, Professor of Political Science, and Chair of VUB’s Equality Team
- Member, Jan De Schampheleire, Researcher in Sociology
- Invited Member, Annelore Wils, Equality Advisor of VUB’s HR Department
Upcoming GEO events
Date: March 2025
Place: Online, at VUB, and at various venues in Brussels
Title: Gender Week 2025
Target Audience: Academics, but open to the general public
Description: RHEA (VUB’s Research Centre on Gender, Diversity & Intersectionality) organises the Gender Week as a yearly celebration of the International Women’s Day on the 8th of March. With a series of events, Rhea highlights the importance of Gender research and social justice.
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