The ETH Zurich Diversity Award goes to...

This year's Diversity Award nominations were as diverse as the award's motto. In the Groups/Organisations category, nominations included teams contributing to an academically appreciative environment for people from different backgrounds to flourish. Nominations were also made for teams designing and implementing inclusive learning opportunities. Finally, programs encouraging young, talented girls to enrol in STEM subjects at ETH were nominated. In the Individual category, nominations included members of ETH who contribute to making underrepresented groups and minorities visible. The nominees were people who actively promote mental well-being in their department or team, and people who raise awareness of issues such as unconscious bias and anti-racism among their colleagues. Finally, nominations were received for individuals volunteering in associations aiming to connect people and to promote diversity as well as inclusion.

From all nominees – 21 in the Individual category and 9 in the Group/Organisation category –  the jury, composed of members of AVETH, VSETH, the Personnel Commission, the ETH Diversity Team and last year's finalists, chose three winners in each category.

Winners of the Individual category:

1. Valentina Gasser:  A former Ph.D. student in chemistry, Dr. Valentina Gasser has fought for equal rights and against discrimination at ETH Zurich as Vice President of the Society of Women in Natural Sciences (WiNS) and beyond. Thanks to her commitment, WiNS has become a pioneering voice in the department and throughout ETH. Valentina Gasser has been involved in many initiatives to address the needs and challenges of women and other underrepresented groups at ETH Zurich, driving significant change and making the D-CHAB and ETH Zurich as a whole more equal in terms of opportunities.
2. Fabienne Jaquet: In addition to her role as Head of Vocational Education and Training, Fabienne Jaquet is dedicated to diversity, equal opportunities and inclusion. She raises awareness for these issues among vocational trainers and apprentices and promotes the recruitment of apprentices from diverse backgrounds. Her enormous commitment and determination led to the establishment of an integration pre-apprenticeship program for refugees at ETH, which raised awareness beyond university borders. She is committed to ensuring that young people with physical or mental disabilities can pursue an education at ETH, thereby helping to dismantle educational barriers and ensuring accessibility for all.
3. Katharina Kolatzki: A Ph.D. student in physics, Katharina Kolatzki’s dedication to connect people across ETH has promoted collaboration and sharing resources, experiences and ideas. Her active involvement in various associations, committees and initiatives (e.g., WiNS, AMP, Gender, Inclusion, Diversity Commission of D-PHYS, Wall of Scientists) and her genuine passion for creating an inclusive environment for all at ETH facilitate this exchange. Her work, openness and enthusiasm have resulted in many significant connections and collaborations. Particularly noteworthy are her efforts to increase the visibility of queer individuals and to provide a network for them on the ETH campus.

Winners of the Group/Organisation category:

1. external page Hochschul-Pride Zürich (HoPZ) :Addressing visibility externally and networking internally are significant concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community. HoPZ organized numerous events in October 2023 that have significantly contributed to improving networking within the community and reinforcing the importance of queer issues at ETH.

2. NADEL: The NADEL Center for Development and Cooperation led by Professor Isabel Günther and Fritz Brugger, is committed to creating an environment that values and encourages students from diverse backgrounds. The team's commitment ensures that learning experiences are inclusive and accessible for both teachers and students. The two leaders lead by example. Their research initiatives significantly contribute to addressing critical diversity challenges by highlighting important issues, fostering understanding within the academic community and initiating a dialog essential for change.

3. Society for Women in Natural Sciences (WiNS): WiNS is a networking platform for women in D-CHAB, D-BIOL, D-PHYS and D-MATL, aiming to raise awareness about factors negatively impacting women's careers in science (such as gender stereotypes). By organizing various career events, WiNS informs women and other interested parties about career opportunities and provides networking opportunities for people from different backgrounds and educational levels.

Following the award presentation, guests could network and exchange ideas over a small aperitif.