INESC TEC joins Associação Portuguesa para a Diversidade e Inclusão

INESC TEC’s membership of the Associação Portuguesa para a Diversidade e Inclusão (APPDI) reinforces the Institute’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive, diverse and accessible working and research environment, one that values the different experiences, identities and perspectives of its community.

APPDI is the coordinating body for the Portuguese Charter for Diversity, a European Commission initiative that promotes more inclusive, equitable and representative organisational cultures. In 2021, INESC TEC signed this charter, publicly acknowledging diversity as an ethical imperative. This membership marks a further step in strengthening the Institute’s commitment to these values and best practices.

“As a research and innovation institution with multidisciplinary teams and a strong international dimension, we believe that diversity of backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking contributes directly to science that is more creative, collaborative and with greater potential impact,” said Maria da Graça Barbosa.

According to the INESC TEC board member, who also oversees matters related to diversity and inclusion, this membership reinforces the path INESC TEC has been forging towards a more inclusive, diverse and accessible working and research environment, one that values the different experiences, identities and perspectives of its community.

“Our membership as an associate will allow us to participate in a national network for sharing best practices in diversity and inclusion, strengthen our expertise and knowledge in this area, as well as our capacity to promote further awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives, and to continue developing an organisational culture grounded in respect, belonging and equal opportunities,” she added.

In the wake of this membership, workshops and masterclasses led by APPDI and aimed at the INESC TEC community will take place through to the end of 2026, continuing efforts to raise awareness, build capacity and promote best practices within an organisational context.

The first session will be held on 17 June, on the theme of “Unconscious Bias: recognising bias and promoting inclusion.” The session aims to create a space for reflection and awareness around unconscious biases and their impact in organisational and academic settings, featuring practical examples, interactive moments and strategies for fostering more inclusive, equitable and collaborative environments.

It is worth noting that INESC TEC has had a Diversity and Inclusion Committee since 2021, established with the primary objective of encouraging the organisation to implement practices that promote diversity and inclusion, and to carry out long-term work in this area.

*Disclaimer: this news piece was translated by Claude.ai