DesignLab University of Twente

Are you aware of the latest developments in the digital domain? What are your strengths within your role, your personal values, and how can you make impact on desirable scenarios for the future? How does that affect the plans and ideals of the people around you? Last week, over 50 experts from the Province of Overijssel took on this challenge for the region, at DesignLab University of Twente (UT).

The new academic year is already in full swing. And after last week's official kickoff, you might be wondering: where's the programme for UT’s third edition of Diversity Week? Not a crazy thought at all. This year, we've decided to channel all our energy into Diversity Day on Tuesday 3 October 2023. On that day, we'll dedicate extra attention to the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social safety in everything we do. But one day – or even a week like the past two years, emphasising these vital values at a single point in the year – isn't nearly enough. That's why, for instance in the course of 2024, we'll focus on DE&I and social safety again during our very first symposium. It's all about continuously inspiring us all to look beyond labels or boxes: how can we make diversity, equity, and inclusion our second nature? And what does that mean in practice for you, your fellow students, or your colleagues?

This spring, a call was made for citizens and researchers to submit their collaborative research ideas for the start of the new program “Civic and Citizen Science”. The goal of this program is to strengthen citizen participation in scientific research and to increase the role of science in regional challenges. After the call, five ideas were selected, each receiving a maximum of €10,000 to work on the idea for the next two years.

The Executive Board has appointed Klaasjan Visscher as full professor of Innovation in Higher Education and Society. The chair is part of the section Knowledge, Transformation and Society (KiTeS) at the faculty Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS).