DE&I Project Selected for Incentive Funding

We are thrilled to announce that the DE&I proposal “Cycle of Inclusion: Understanding and Supporting Menstrual Health in Large-Class Teaching at UT”, co-developed by Dipti K. Sarmah from the SCS Group and Mahboobeh Zangiabady from the DACS Group, has been selected under the Incentive Funding Scheme.

The project also recently welcomed a master’s student to join the team, further strengthening the initiative. Photos from the Kick-off event capture the enthusiasm and collaborative spirit of the team.

About the Project

The “Cycle of Inclusion” project addresses an often-overlooked aspect of inclusivity: menstrual health. Despite UT’s strong DE&I and people-first vision, the effect of menstrual symptoms on teaching and learning remains under-researched.

This pilot project, supported by the DE&I Incentive Fund, aims to:

• Understand how menstrual health challenges affect focus, engagement, and productivity in large-class teaching.
• Develop practical, data-driven tools and strategies to support both students and staff.
• Link lived experiences with institutional action to make UT’s learning environment more inclusive, fair, and supportive for everyone.

By highlighting this important yet underexplored topic, the project aspires to create a more equitable academic experience for all members of the UT community.

Stay tuned for updates as this innovative project develops solutions that support inclusivity in higher education teaching.

Project Team

dr.ir. M. Zangiabady (Mahboobeh) Lecturer

+31534892168

 m.zangiabady@utwente.nl

Building: Zilverling

Personal page

dr. D.K. Sarmah MSc (Dipti) Lecturer

+31534894730

 d.k.sarmah@utwente.nl

Building: Zilverling 2062

Personal page