Rethinking excellence
Webinar N°7 within a series of nine webinars on gender equality and diversity
Time
16:00 - 17:00
The term “excellence” is extensively used in academic research to justify and target funding and recruitment decisions and policies. In this webinar, we invite our participants to an open critique of the concept of excellence. The Better Science Initiative calls for a rethink in academia towards more sustainability, diversity and equal opportunities.
Diversity in excellence – “Better Science” as an approach for rethinking the current academic culture
Natascha Flückiger, Board of Students’ Union University of Bern, Switzerland
Sabine Höfler, Scientific officer, Office for Gender Equality, University of Bern, Switzerland
Joël Schaad, Academic trainee Better Science Initiative, Office for Gender Equality, University of Bern Switzerland
The term “excellence” is used in academia to determine outstanding scientific work. Yet it is only vaguely defined with no clear criteria for its application. What does excellence mean in different academic settings? What is the least common denominator for excellence across disciplines? How do we measure it and what are its implications? This webinar invites participants to an open critique of the concept of excellence and how it has to change. The Better Science Initiative calls for a rethinking of scientific work towards more sustainability, diversity, and equal opportunities.
Achieving Gender Equality and Diversity in the Natural Sciences
- I want it! Career experiences by young scientists
- I did it! Experiences from leading scientists
- Rethinking excellence
- The role of funding policies and the use of quota
- Let’s do it! Successful measures to close the gap
- The gender-equality paradox
- The neurobiological differences between men and women
- Women's role in leading positions
- Women in the Natural Sciences: Overview and historical perspective
