International Women’s Day activities

08 March 2024 09:00 till 14:00 - Location: Aula, Auditorium | Add to my calendar

The TU Delft celebrates International Women's Day with the theme "One World, Thousand Women". The theme shows how beautiful it is that each woman is unique and different, but also how important it is to recognise the role of women as agents of change, driving progress towards prosperous and equitable economies and a healthy planet for future generations. In a world facing multiple crises that put immense pressure on communities, achieving gender equality is more important than ever.

DEWIS (Delft Women in Science) will celebrate the occasion from 12 February to 8 March with interesting activities such as discussions, presentations, an exhibition and a special lunch.

On 8 March (9:00-13:30), an inspiring celebration will take place in the auditorium of the Aula, with trainer Esther Mollema, an engaging and insightful panel and captivating music and dance.

During the day we will explore the need for women in scientific leadership. To find sustainable solutions to our global challenges, we need women to contribute. Why are women urgently needed to solve the climate crisis, accelerate the transition to clean energy and tackle our health challenges? How can we unleash the vast untapped talent - starting with filling classrooms, laboratories and boardrooms with women scientists?

Your presence will add to the richness of this empowering event.

Everybody from the TUD community is welcome – diversity is the root of success!

Speakers

Panel members:

Elsemiek Meijs

Coach and counselor in organisations, TU Alumna and a member of the Delft Female Impact Community

Sarah Giest

Professor Public Policy with a focus on Innovation and Sustainability

Irene Grossmann

Assistant Professor Safety in Healthcare at the TU Delft and co-founder of Institute for Health Systems Science

Jose Rueda Torres

Associate Professor in the Electrical Sustainable Energy Department at the TU Delft and involved in the EU-project FEMPower

Ralien Bekkers

Climate activist and writer of the book ‘Zo kan het niet langer‘ (‘It can’t go on like this’)

Moderator:

Vera Popovich

Dr. Vera Popovich, Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at the TU Delft

Chairperson:

Zofia Lukszo

Professor of Smart Energy Systems and DEWIS Chair at the TU Delft

Programme

9.00	Walk in
9.15	Welcome by Prof.dr.ir. Zofia Lukszo, DEWIS Chair
9.20	Presentation by Drs. Marien van der Meer, Vice President of Operations of the TU Delft
9.35	200 years of women composers, songs by Joana Rolo
9.45	The two legs of good leadership, Presentation by Esther Mollema, inspirational speaker, trainer, researcher and author, owner of Direction
11.00	Dance performance by Jaqueline van Kuilenburg, dancer at Misiconia
11.10	Project sustainability TU Delft by Puck Wijnia
11.20	Panel discussion: Women in science leadership: a new era for sustainability
	Panel members: Elsemiek Meijs, coach and counselor in organisations, TU Alumna and a member of the Delft Female Impact Community Dr. Irene Grossmann, Assistant Professor Safety in Healthcare at the TU Delft and co-founder of Institute for Health Systems Science Dr.ir. Jose Rueda Torres, Associate Professor in the Electrical Sustainable Energy Department at the TU Delft and involved in the EU-project FEMPower Ralien Bekkers, climate activist and writer of the book ‘Zo kan het niet langer‘ (‘It can’t go on like this’) Prof.dr. Sarah Giest, Professor Public Policy with a focus on Innovation and Sustainability Moderator: Dr. Vera Popovich, Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at the TU Delft
12.00	200 years of women composers, songs by Joana Rolo
12.10- 13.30	Networking activity in the Foyer by Eva Wiltingh B.V. and a Delicious lunch

Andy van den Dobbelsteen

Professor of Climate Design & Sustainability “In the Netherlands, in ten years’ time, eight women were named Dutch Corporate Social Responsibility Manager of the Year. This says something about the value of women in sustainability: their leadership is crucial to building a better world and solving the climate crisis.”

Annabel Broer

PhD Candidate Maritime Technology "I wrongly doubted that I would fit in as a non-engineer. But I discovered a welcoming, inclusive community and realised that we can all contribute to an inclusive environment."

Axelle Vire

Professor Floating Wind Energy and Faculty Diversity Officer of Aerospace Engineering "I want to inspire many girls and women to contribute to our energy transition. That’s why I launched a crowdfunding campaign to bring books about wind energy and its diverse people to every possible school."

Chiara Pradel

Postdoctoral Researcher at Architecture and the Built Environment "As a new staff member, I am inspired by the other women in my section. They show daily support and care in a simple yet effective way, asking about each other's well-being and fostering a truly positive work environment."

Claudia Westhoff-Kemper

Management Assistant and Coordinator of ZieSo, the TU Delft secretarial network "By supporting each other, women build a sense of solidarity that unites them in their quest for equality and justice. United, women empower each other, break down barriers and stereotypes, and inspire generations to rise and thrive."

Fransje Hooimeijer

Associate professor Environmental Technology "Diversity is the fundament for shared values and perspectives in building a healthy and purposeful future. Creating diversity in the scientific community is not only an organizational challenge, but also an opportunity for scientific innovation."

Karin Sluis

Senior advisor at Witteveen+Bos, TU Delft alumna and chair Delft University Fund. "Do you want a more sustainable, more beautiful and more cheerful world? Then fix the system: overcome your implicit biases and give girls and women true equal chances!"

Marien van der Meer

Vice President Operations of the TU Delft "Empowering more women and girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) not only strengthens climate strategies, but also cultivates leaders who drive climate action. With their contributions, we are reshaping societies and paving the way for a sustainable future."

Marjan Kreijns

Director The Green Village "The Energy Transition can only be a just transition if the interests of women are 100% represented! This is only possible if women play a central role in the policy making and implementation."

Mireille Howard-Snels

Senior Policy Officer and Chair Employee Resource Group DiversAbility "Medical Science should pay more attention to the differences between men and women and the symptoms they experience!"

Peter Palenskey

Professor and head of department Electrical Sustainable Energy “We need the diverse talents and skills of everyone to move us forward; we cannot rely on any one group to make the transition to clean energy.”

Poulumi Dey

Assistant Professor Materials Science and Engineering "This is a moment for all of us to come together and celebrate all female TU Delft members! Moment to celebrate our accomplishments, resilience and a moment to inspire the world and lead by example!"

Tim van der Hagen

Rector Magnificus of TU Delft "Our ambitions should never be too modest, especially when it comes to our aspirations for gender equality and tackling climate change. When I say 'our', I mean you and me, our university, our country and our world."

Tracey Davis

Learning Developer "Woman to woman we should seek to encourage, empower, and establish one another. "

Zofia Lukszo

Professor Smart Energy Systems and DEWIS Chair "Cultural and behavioural changes are needed to achieve both gender equality and climate goals. In fact, both objectives are a matter of justice."

Marie-Anne de Gier

MSc. Industrial Ecology & Management of Technology and GreenTU Chair "I believe that fundamentally, feminists and sustainability advocates share a vision: a just and sustainable world for everyone through systemic change. Therefore, we should recognize, empower, and leverage women's leadership in combating climate change."

Andrea Ramirez Ramirez

Professor/ Head of Department Chemical Engineering "Working together towards a culture that facilitates, encourages, and provides opportunities for women in our university is something that each of us can do. Big actions, small actions, all count, and each can change the life of someone around us."