This event is dedicated at fostering an inclusive workplace by raising awareness of the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Attendees will hear first-hand experiences from scientists with disabilities from EuXFEL and DESY, as well as get insights from the severe disability representation of DESY.
Together, we will celebrate the remarkable achievements made possible through inclusivity and the value of diverse teams. Our goal is to empower all colleagues affected by disabilities - whether personally or through family members - including those impacted by unexpected events such as accidents or cancer. We aim to highlight the benefits of formal disability recognition and to create and cultivate a supportive network for everyone.
Dr. Jana Bauer (University of Cologne) and Meike Flammer (Diversity Officer, EuXFEL) will lead the participants through the panel discussion by raising and discussing questions such as
- what it is like to pursue a career as a beamline scientist being blind (and hear more stories of colleagues with disabilities)
- what is so special about neurodiversity
- what is the conflict specifically colleagues with invisible disabilities face
- why at DESY (and probably in most other institutions) such a high number of people do not want to reveal their disability, and
- what are the great advantages for a research institute of offering a tolerant and integrative work environment.
During the break, a networking lunch will be offered to the participants and at the end substantial information material about how and where to get support will be made available.
Please join me for this important and very interesting event - alongside Dr. Jana Bauer from the University of Cologne, Iris Hopf from the NGO Handicap Schleswig-Holstein, Nicola Brenner Ziegeler and Nicola Baark from the severe disabilities’ representation of DESY, as well as Dr. Ann-Christin Dippel, Dr. Astrid Muennich and Bharathi Vanganuru as scientists with a disability from DESY and European XFEL.
