We hereby invite you to a conference where we will present highlights from a report on the barriers and potentials regarding diversity in STEM research environments, where you will hear inspiring talks, and receive an invitation to create a Living Lab at your institution.

Report – An anthropological exploration of the potential benefits and experienced barriers concerning attracting and retaining a diverse talent pool within STEM research in Denmark.

Introduction to Living Labs – provides practical details on how to join and create a Living Lab to identify concrete initiatives and solutions.

You are most welcome to forward the invitation to colleagues who might be interested in attending.

Conference Agenda:

1. What will the session cover?
   Thomas Bjørnholm, Chief Scientific Officer, Villum Foundation

2. Why does it matter?
   Three perspectives on gender diversity in STEM research environment
   Gisou van der Goot, VP of Responsible Transformation, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausann
   Pernille Bjørn, Ph.D. Professor & Deputy Head of Department for Research, Department of Computer Science, University of Copenhagen
   Nina Molin Høyland-Kroghsbo Tenure, Track Assistant Professor and Member of The Young Academy, under the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters

3. What are the barriers and potentials? (see the attached 'Report')
   Louise Vang Jensen, Co-CEO at IS IT A BIRD, on key insights from an anthropological exploration:
   What are the barriers to attract and retain female STEM talent in academia, and which initiatives could the universities use to increase diversity to promote better research and education?

4.  What is our call to action? (see the attached 'Introduction to Living Labs'
   An invitation to take part in the conversation
   Facilitated exploration of new ways forward in Living Labs embedded in existing research environment
   Group work exploring the potential of setting up and learning from Living Labs

5. What can science learn from music?
   Inspiration from Ralf Richard Strøbech, head of music at DR, on how DR has managed to improve diversity in the artists broadcast on DR platforms significantly
   …followed by a short musical treat.

6. Wrap up and conclusions
   Novo Nordisk Foundation

7. How to take part?
   After the formal program finishes at 16.00, the project partners are available for open sparring and dialogue with participants interested in taking part in a Living Lab.

Why focus on diversity in STEM?

 Paving the way for a diverse STEM research environment is key to positioning Denmark as a world-leading STEM nation. Diverse teams outperform monocultural teams. And diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills are key to innovation and the development of groundbreaking new ideas.

The Danish STEM research environment is highly cited and attracts a large number of applicants for grants. However, there is an unfulfilled potential for Denmark to increase diversity and inclusion in research environments, to ensure a future position as a world-leading STEM nation.

Of the total number of students finishing a master's degree within STEM, fewer women than men choose to pursue a career within academia. Across career levels in academia, the 'leaky pipeline’ of female research talents creates an unfulfilled opportunity for Denmark to ensure optimal conditions for groundbreaking research.

When and where?

Date: Thursday 31st August 2023
Time: 13.00-16.00 CET
Lunch will be provided at 12.00
Open for further discussions until 17.00
Venue: Center for Ledelse Folke Bernadottes Allé 45 2100 København Ø
Fee: The conference is free, but we will charge a no-show fee of 200 DKK
To register: Please register before Friday, August 18, 2023