Building an Inclusive Future for Radio Astronomy
At ASTRON, our mission is to make discoveries in radio astronomy happen. Staying at the forefront of science comes with challenges and questions. How do we develop cutting-edge instruments to remain a global leader? How do we contribute to combating climate change, while pushing the boundaries in science? And how do we share our discoveries with the wider public in a way that inspires a love for science?
Solving complex challenges requires innovative thinking and approaches that often diverge from traditional methods. In an increasingly dynamic and uncertain world, relying on a single way of thinking or working is no longer sufficient. Meaningful and sustainable solutions emerge when we actively bring together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas. Diversity of thought fosters creativity, drives innovation, and helps uncover blind spots. By embracing different viewpoints, we enhance our resilience, improve the quality of decision-making, and develop solutions that are more inclusive, effective, and widely supported.
The Role of the EIC
The Equity & Inclusion Council (EIC) of ASTRON, JIVE, and NOVA exists to ensure that everyone working at our Dwingeloo community feels welcome, heard, and supported. We believe that diversity, whether in origin, religion, neurodivergence, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or any other dimension, makes our organization stronger and our work more impactful.
The EIC is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment through initiatives that raise awareness, promote fairness, and drive meaningful change. Our efforts focus on what truly makes a difference: encouraging individuals to reflect on their potential privileges, cultivating a culture of mutual support, and creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
We believe that science and technology should be accessible and relevant to all. By embracing collaboration, inclusivity, and transparency, we aim to continue advancing innovation while contributing to a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.
Understanding Inequality, Equality, Equity, and Justice
Figure 1. 2019 Design In Tech Report | “Addressing Imbalance” Illustrations by Lunchbreath
The above figure demonstrates the difference between inequality, equality, equity, and justice. The natural state of things is inequality, and we wish to provide equitable solutions in the short term, with an eye towards attempting to achieve justice in the long term.
Inequality, Equality, Equity and Justice Explained
Inequality arises when individuals or groups experience significantly different levels of access to resources, opportunities, or support. Its root causes are complex and multifaceted—ranging from historical and structural factors to social, political, and economic dynamics—and far too numerous to list exhaustively. In the accompanying illustration, the inequality depicted is geographic in nature: one person receives more food (apples) solely based on their position. While it may seem that the individual with fewer resources could simply move to a more advantageous spot, in reality, such mobility is often constrained by barriers including systemic discrimination, economic limitations, and restrictive social or political structures.
Equality refers to the uniform distribution of support or resources, regardless of an individual’s starting point. Examples include public transportation systems and universal scholarship programs. These initiatives are vital in creating a baseline of access, but they do not, on their own, resolve the underlying disparities, as not everyone begins from the same circumstances or faces the same obstacles.
Equity goes a step further by recognizing and responding to these differing needs. It entails the provision of tailored tools or interventions specifically designed to mitigate existing disadvantages. Examples include the installation of elevators and ramps to support individuals with mobility challenges, or the availability of travel grants for researchers from under-resourced regions. Importantly, such targeted measures often have a broader societal benefit. Elevators, for instance, serve not only those with permanent disabilities, but also individuals with temporary injuries, strollers, or luggage. Similarly, travel grants enhance global collaboration and knowledge exchange, ultimately benefiting the entire research ecosystem—including those from well-funded institutions.
The ultimate aspiration is justice: a world in which equal access to resources and opportunities is no longer something to be granted or adjusted, but a given. A world where all individuals can flourish by design, not by exception, and where equity has fulfilled its purpose by rendering itself unnecessary.
Organizational Participation
ASTRON, JIVE, and NOVA are involved in number diversity related groups and efforts, each of which have a particular scope. The figure below exists to diagram these groups, organized by their scope.
Figure 2. Groups and efforts, organized by their scope.
Understanding the Organizational Participation Chart
Location/Employment Topicality-agnostic
This section highlights targeted efforts within specific employment domains. For example, The Dutch Astronomy Council (Raad van de Astronomie, RvdA) supports the National Astronomy Inclusion and Equity Council (NAIEC), which actively promotes inclusion and equity across the Dutch astronomy community. In addition, the Dutch Research Council (NWO) has established four Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), each dedicated to a distinct theme: LGBTQI+ inclusion, neurodiversity, gender equity, and cultural diversity. These groups play a key role in fostering a more inclusive and supportive working environment.
The ASTRON / JIVE / NOVA Equity & Inclusion Committee (EIC) its mandate spans the entire ASTRON organization as well as all staff working in the Dwingeloo facility. The EIC addresses a wide range of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) topics, including accessibility, ethnic and cultural diversity, and neurodiversity. For instance, in June 2025, the committee organized a color sensitivity awareness event. Through a series of visual tests and room-based simulations, participants experienced how individuals with color vision deficiencies perceive the world differently—fostering empathy and understanding.
Topicality specific Location/Employment agnostic
This section features organizations that address specific diversity-related themes but are not affiliated with individual workplaces. Currently, the sole organization listed in this category is Workplace Pride, a global advocate for LGBTQI+ inclusion in professional environments. One of its key initiatives is the Declaration of Amsterdam—a commitment to fostering LGBTQI+ equality—which all member organizations are required to visibly display within their workplace. As a member of Workplace Pride, NWO, and by extension ASTRON, fulfills this obligation.
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