How do you experience diversity at Saxion? Take part in our survey

We are not doing this survey alone, but with almost all media of research universities and universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. Some 20 magazines have joined forces and created a survey that is distributed at each institution. This not only gives us a picture about higher education, but allows us to compare the results for each institution. 

The diversity and inclusion survey is an initiative of Kring van Hoofdredacteuren Hoger Onderwijs Media (Circle of Editors-in-Chief of Higher Education Media). Ries Agterberg, Chairman of the Kring, explains why this theme was chosen: "Diversity is a much-discussed topic, both inside and outside higher education. To what extent is diversity policy necessary and, if so, how far can you take diversity policy? Is higher education going too far in this, or just not fast enough? The Minister of Justice recently said in a lecture that woke at universities threatens academic freedom. Is that true? With this survey, we want to discover how students and staff think about diversity and inclusion."

The survey includes questions about what you expect from Saxion University of Applied Sciences when it comes to diversity and inclusion. What do students and employees think of the actions taken so far, such as the rainbow path for Saxion, for example, or the gender-neutral toilets? And and where is room for improvement? 

In 2020 there was a heated debate in the Dutch House of Representatives about a National Action Plan for more diversity and inclusion. Roughly speaking, there were two currents. One said: you shouldn't pay attention to diversity and origin, because it's only about quality. The other said: quality sometimes does not surface because certain people are disadvantaged. What opinions do students and staff have?

More than collecting opinions, the survey also provides a space to share their own experiences. "Are there students and staff who feel excluded or feel they are discriminated against? And if so, do they know where to turn?"

The survey is not the only thing the Kring is doing within this project. The journals are also researching university policies. What priorities are the boards setting? The survey can help us gain insight into a possible discrepancy between institutions' priorities and students' and employees' ideas on diversity and inclusion.

This project was made possible with support from the Stimuleringsfonds voor de Journalistiek, an organization that supports investigative journalism in the Netherlands. The Kring received more than 100,000 euros for this purpose. The survey was compiled on the basis of interviews with editors of all participating magazines and was prepared by research agency Newcom. All responses are processed anonymously. Respondents can, if they wish, indicate that a journalist from their own institution can contact them to talk about their experiences in more detail.

The survey is open until the end of October. The results - if there is sufficient participation - will be reflected in a series of articles later this year.

Find the questionnaire for students here.
Find the questionnaire for employees here.