Diversity Day 2025

Workshop: Giving Voice to Values

How do you find your voice and act on your values when they're tested in the workplace? This interactive, skill-buillding workshop moves beyond asking "What is the right thing to do?" to "How can I get it done effectively?" Together we will explore practical ways to respond in the face of pushback, practice strategies for speaking up, and strenthen the confidence to align actions with values in real-world situations.

D&I Book club

Looking for inspiring reads, fresh perspectives and meaningful discussion? Join the monthly online book club on diversity and inclusion.

Together we will explore books that spark dialogue on gender, race and identity. From poetry and memoir to sharp social critique, these works challenge assumptions and open space for new ways of seeing the world.

Lauched during the week of Diversity Day, this one-hour book club meets monthly to discuss a different book on diversity and inclusion. Come share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with others.

Open to all students and staff - everyone's voice matters.

Workshop: Inclusive Language

How inclusive is the language you use every day? In this interactive workshop, you'll actively explore inclusive language in everyday university settings. Using the UG’s Inclusive Language Style Guide, you'll work with real-life examples to identify and rephrase non-inclusive wording.

We’ll touch on topics like gender, identity, ability, cultural background, and common Dutch-English pitfalls – but the focus is on practice, not just theory.

You’ll leave with greater awareness, practical tools, and more confidence in your communication.

Embracing Diverse Minds: Supporting All Learners in Higher Education

This workshop explores neurodiversity as a fundamental aspect of human diversity in educational settings. Participants will examine both medical and social models of neurodiversity while moving beyond deficit-based approaches to recognise the unique strengths of neurodivergent learners. The session will also address common challenges faced by neurodivergent students while providing practical strategies for inclusive lab environments. Emphasising student-centred approaches, the workshop encourages educators to engage directly with learners to understand individual needs and co-create supportive strategies.

By the end of this session, participants will have developed an understanding to transform educational spaces into environments where neurodivergent students can thrive alongside their neurotypical peers, ultimately enriching the learning experience for all.

Rethinking Diversity: A Critical Take on Inclusion and Equality

What do we mean when we talk about “diversity and inclusion”? This session explores how these concepts have shifted from their origins in political movements—such as civil rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ activism—toward more depoliticized, feel-good language. As “diversity” becomes a buzzword, its ties to equity and justice risk being lost.

In this interactive lecture-workshop, we’ll critically examine the rise of mainstream D&I discourse and ask: Who is included? What is left out? And how can we move beyond tokenism to reclaim diversity as a tool for structural change? Join us in rethinking how universities can foster not just inclusion, but real equity.

More time, Less pressure: how accessible education lowers your work pressure

Teachers strive to support all students, but limited time can make responding to repetitive questions quite challenging. In this workshop, we’ll discuss your experiences with all students, especially neurodiverse learners. Your input will help us create a teacher toolbox, and we’ll provide practical tips you can apply immediately in teaching.

The Inclusive Teacher: Launch & Lunch

Come celebrate the official launch of The Inclusive Teacher — a brand-new e-learning course in Brightspace, designed to help university teachers make their teaching more inclusive, accessible, and engaging for all students.

This self-paced course covers key topics like Inclusive Course Design, Pedagogy, Group Work, and Assessment. As you work through the modules, you can earn a certificate or badge to recognize your progress.

Curious to see what it’s all about? Join us to explore the course, meet the team behind it, and get inspired! You can browse the modules on-screen, ask questions, and enjoy a free lunch while connecting with fellow educators.

Workshop Microagressions: What to do when things get awkward

On 7 October, the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) is hosting a Microaggressions Workshop for both staff and students.

The workshop creates space to explore how to navigate situations in which microaggressions occur. Because individuals from minoritized groups are more often the recipients of such behaviours, it is essential to understand their impact, recognise them in real time, and learn strategies for prevention and response.

This interactive session uses a role-playing format, with a professionally trained actor guiding participants through real-life scenarios to develop practical skills for handling uncomfortable situations.

What participants will gain:

• A clear understanding of what microaggressions are and why they must be addressed
• The ability to recognise micro-aggressive behaviour in daily interactions
• Tools and strategies to respond effectively and protect personal boundaries

The workshop will be followed by drinks and bites until 17.15. Snacks and drinks will be provided during and after the workshop.

Discussion circle: Normalcy and otherness in sex & relationships

Sexual Wellness Education Initiative (SWEI) aims to support students in discussing topics related to sexuality. Key themes include consent, boundaries, autonomy, sexual health, gender and sexual identity, safety, and pleasure.

This discussion circle provides space to share thoughts and experiences about what is considered “normal” and what may feel “different.” The event is informal and designed to create an open, almost therapeutic atmosphere. Everyone who wants to listen or share is welcome. The session lasts about two hours, from 17:30 to 19:30.

Dilemma Game

How do you engage in fruitful discussions about issues related to diversity and inclusion? How can you find and practice solutions together?

The dilemma game uses dilemmas from everyday life that you use as conversation starters. Dilemmas to reflect on, respond to, discuss, and perhaps rethink in an environment without judgment or criticism, but where space is created to understand other opinions. In this workshop, we will discuss some of these dilemmas together.

Safe Space: come share your experience of being queer at the UG

Being queer at university brings with it experiences that are distinct from those around you who are not queer. Experiences like navigating pronouns and names in class and university systems, and the ongoing process of coming out in different settings.

In our safe space you are invited to share your experiences being queer at the RUG. This space is meant for sharing. Everything you choose to share will remain within the room and confidential unless you decide otherwise.

A moderator will guide the conversation, might raise topics and will look to include those who want to be included into the conversation. We invite you to join our safe space to talk, listenand share.

This event is open to both students and staff.

Diverse Minds, Shared Success: Unlocking the Potential of Neurodivergent Learners

This workshop explores neurodiversity as a fundamental aspect of human diversity in educational settings. Participants will examine both medical and social models of neurodiversity while moving beyond deficit-based approaches to recognise the unique strengths of neurodivergent learners. The session will also address common challenges faced by neurodivergent students while providing practical strategies for inclusive classroom environments. Emphasising student-centred approaches, the workshop encourages educators to engage directly with learners to understand individual needs and co-create supportive strategies.

By the end of this session, participants will have developed an understanding to transform educational spaces into environments where neurodivergent students can thrive alongside their neurotypical peers, ultimately enriching the learning experience for all.