Louise Autar wins the Diversity & Inclusion Award 2021

On Wednesday 31 March, Diversity Dean Janneke Plantenga presented the Diversity & Inclusion Award to Louise Autar, lecturer in the departments of Language & Culture Studies, Liberal Arts & Sciences and Gender Studies at Utrecht University.

This year, the committee received nine nominations and selected a top three: Programma Opmaat /Donya Yassine, Team Onderwijsadvies & training and Louise Autar. Besides winning the Diversity & Inclusion Award, Louise receives an amount of €2.500,- to spend on diversity and inclusion within Utrecht University .

Activities to promote inclusion among students

Louise Autar receives the Diversity & Inclusion Award for her efforts in several areas for diversity and inclusion. The jury members consider Louise's commitment to diversity and inclusion, in addition to her regular teaching duties, to be special. Much praise goes to Louise's attention for colleagues and students of colour and especially for her activities aimed at inclusion among students. For instance, she organised the Un/Divided conference for students who want to take action to increase diversity and inclusion at Dutch universities. This conference gave rise to STAR (Space to Talk about Race), a platform for students of colour. The many letters of support the jury received also show that many colleagues are proud of Louise's contributions to diversity and inclusion.

Impact inside and outside Utrecht University

In addition, her activities have had an impact both inside and outside Utrecht University. Louise is also a member of the advisory board of the Students4Students campaign of ECHO, subsidised by the Ministry of Education and Culture to put diversity on the agenda by institutionalising student actions. 

Missed the award ceremony?

If you could not be present at the ceremony, please watch the recording.

Diversity & Inclusion Award

Since 2019, the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion programme has annually handed out the Diversity & Inclusion Award to draw attention to and express appreciation for the valuable initiatives of employees and students that contribute to a more diverse and inclusive university.

Want to know more?

Would you like to know more about the Diversity & Inclusion Award or about diversity and inclusion at Utrecht University? Visit the website of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion programme or contact the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Office via edi.office@uu.nl.