Copyright: Hubrecht Institute. 23 March 2026 IDEAS Committee Activities at the Hubrecht Institute Back to news In 2025, the IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Social Safety) committee at the Hubrecht Institute continued its efforts to foster a more inclusive and socially safe working environment. The committee consists of PhD students, postdocs, technicians, group leaders, and representatives from the Communication and HR teams, ensuring a wide range of perspectives and expertise in its initiatives. Below, the IDEAS committee provides an overview of their key achievements and activities from the past year. Women and Parents in Science The committee continued hosting the ‘Women and Parents in Science’ lunches. These provided a platform to discuss career development, caregiving responsibilities, and work–life balance. In addition, a newcomer document focusing on family-related matters was finalized. Lastly, a ‘Famous Women in Science’ exhibition was organized to increase the visibility of role models. LGBTQ+ Inclusion We organized an LGBTQ+ gathering in May. ‘LGBTQ+ and Allies’ coffee moments were also introduced, creating regular, low-threshold opportunities for connection and visibility within the institute. Addressing Inappropriate Jokes and Social Safety In November, the IDEAS team organized a get-together with stand-up comedians to encourage reflection on humor, boundaries, and social safety. In parallel, ‘Food for Thought’ questions were displayed on internal screens to encourage discussion around inclusive and respectful behavior. Stand-up comedians get-together. Copyright: Hubrecht Institute. Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion We developed and shared a diversity calendar. ‘Food for thought’ questions continued to be displayed on screens, and the general newcomer document was finalized. Additionally, we organized a clay-activity in which participants used clay to create objects that expressed aspects of themselves, creating an informal setting for conversations about identity, diversity, and inclusion. Genera We updated the IDEAS Action Plan of the Hubrecht Institute to reflect current priorities and ongoing initiatives. Looking ahead to 2026 In 2026, the IDEAS committee will continue to strengthen inclusion, diversity, and social safety at the Hubrecht Institute through workshops, lectures, and new initiatives. By focusing on these initiatives, we aim to further strengthen a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered.
