Mala Paltoe: 'We have a lot work to do concerning diversity, equity and inclusion.'
Who are the members of the Advisory Committee Diverse and Inclusive Higher Education and Research and what are they working on? This time we would like to introduce Mala Paltoe. Mala is secretary of the Advisory Committee Diverse and Inclusive Higher Education and Research. She also works as a consultant, dialogue facilitator, trainer and supervisor in the field of equality and inclusion in various sectors.
Connecting role
Mala Paltoe: ‘I am the first contact person for the Advisory Committee Diverse and Inclusive Higher Education and Research. I am a kind of gatekeeper. I also fulfill a connecting role for partners in the field and contribute to the advisory committee's signaling and agenda-setting function when it comes to diversity, equality and inclusion in education and research. I think it is important that as an advisory committee we are accessible, reachable and approachable for students, staff, researchers, administrators and many more and this is reflected in my role as secretary.
Safe and inclusive learning and working environment
'Together we are stronger in education and research. That is why I active seek connection with partners and allies of the National Action Plan for more diversity and inclusion in (higher) education and research. We pursue the same goal and that is a safe and inclusive learning and working environment. Through my work outside education and research, for example my experience with inclusive leadership, I notice how valuable it is to share those perspectives also with the advisory committee.'
Added value
'I grew up between diverse worlds and I have a lot of life experience. This has taught me to shift gears and get to the bottom of complexity. And that has now also become my strength, by sensing tensions between systems, perspectives and expectations. This allows me to offer added value to the Advisory Committee Diverse and Inclusive Higher Education and Research, because working on diversity and inclusion is complex and requires continuous shifting gears on a social, political, and institutional level.
We are far from being there with equality and inclusion, which is why I find it important to dedicate myself to this goal as secretary. My work is done when we do no longer need to talk about equality and inclusion. I still see, notice and experience too much inequality and exclusion, and I want to do something about it.
My ambition is to make equality and justice part of education and research. It has to reach the heart of the system with students, staff, governance, curriculum and research.
Talk to people
‘If we see, behold, notice, experience or experience that something is contributing to an exclusive and unsafe learning and working environment then we must say that it is not okay. This includes addressing and being accountable for non-inclusive behaviors and actions. And also look at your own role in organizations or institutions. Finally, I want to say the message don't talk about people in education and research, but talk to people with (lived) experiences and really take this seriously.'
