Equality, diversity and inclusion at Aalto

EDI Learning Hub

A flourishing academic community is built upon a diversity of talent, backgrounds, and experiences. We can all contribute to fostering an inclusive community.
Aalto people

Actions for diversity and inclusion

Do you want to help Aalto University build an open and accepting community for everyone?

Learning about diversity and inclusion makes us better equipped for fostering a good community. Read books, listen to podcasts, or have discussions with your peers – whatever works best for you. Increasing understanding of diversity enables us to better implement its values in our everyday lives. This page provides an updated collection of tips, inspiring reads, and practical support materials to guide you towards maintaining diversity and inclusivity as part of your everyday life at Aalto. To start with, you can find a mini-library filled with inspiring materials below. 

Students

Equality refers to an aim to provide a non-discriminatory, equal and accessible environment in which employees and students with diverse backgrounds receive equal and fair treatment and are free to study and work without fear of discrimination.

Diversity refers to all of the ways we differ, e.g. education, age, gender, nationality or personality traits – any visible or non-visible attributes that make us different from each other.

Inclusion refers to an environment of involvement and respect, where everyone can be their true self, feel a sense of belonging, and where our different backgrounds and perspectives are seen as strengths.

Guidelines for inclusive interaction

We want every community member to feel welcome and safe. By behaving in a responsible manner and respecting the rights of the other members of our community we let everyone equal opportunity to enjoy a safe and pleasant university environment that allows unhindered progress in study and work. 

Below you can find guidelines for inclusive interaction that foster inclusive daily encounters with other community members.

Tips, toolkits and inspiring reads for fostering diversity

In this EDI Resource Bank you find the latest training, research, knowledge and best practices from Aalto and around the world. 

Events and trainings

Aalto Readers' Club
Other

Aalto Readers' Club

Join our dynamic book club at Aalto University!
People sitting on the stairs talking
For Aalto community Pedagogical training, Workshops

Towards better learning in more inclusive environment

Join the workshop on supportive and inclusive study environment.
Making Waves - The Gender Gap In Mental Health
Information sessions, Lectures and seminars, Networking

The gender gap in mental health - Making Waves Thu 11/4/2024

Is there a gender gap in mental health? Prof. Jaana Suvisaari (THL) will present results from a large Finnish cohort on the factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences.
Aalto Readers' Club
Other

Aalto Readers' Club

Join our dynamic book club at Aalto University!

News

Aalto University logo with light and blurry person passing by
For Aalto community University Published:

How to support equality and diversity? Apply for funding for your idea!

Students and staff at the School of Electrical Engineering can apply for funding for projects that support equality and diversity throughout April.
Panu_Savolainen, photo by Hayley Le
University Published:

Panu Savolainen: I wish we would have a day when we remove the power dynamics completely

‘In many indigenous cultures, there are such periods, when leaders relinquish their power. Either that power is given to someone, maybe the poorest or most oppressed community member, or then the power isn’t used by anyone.’
Paneeli IUPAC Global Womens Breakfast -tapahtumassa
Campus Published:

‘If we make informed and thoughtful choices, it can catalyse diversity in our community’

On 27 February 2024, Assistant Professor Jaana Vapaavuori hosted a breakfast event to catalyze all kinds of diversities, in conjunction with the U.N. Day of Women and Girls in Science. Different diversities can be, for example: ideas, identities, representations, backgrounds, experiences, and bodies.
Mashrura Musharraf, photo by by Jaakko Kahilaniemi
University Published:

Mashrura Musharraf: You don’t get to see a lot of women like me in academic leadership positions

'I think my shoes are quite unique, and so is my path. You don’t get to see a lot of women like me, a non-white female from Bangladesh, in academic leadership positions. Especially in a male-dominated field like marine technology.'

How to intervene to harassment and inappropriate conduct

The Code of Conduct is one way of putting our values and way of working - the foundation of our community culture - into practice.

Read more about process and contact information
kuva Dipolin sisätiloista tuolista jossa istuu henkilö

Supporting students' sense of community and belonging

Students in a lecture hall

Supporting students' sense of community and belonging

Central to community and inclusion is that the community members feel accepted and valued as themselves. Belonging to a study community means gaining experiences of the relevance of studies and identification with the student community. The sense of belonging is unique and can only be triggered if students identify themselves with the community. That is why it is important to think how to create and promote the sense of inclusion in your teaching.

Services
Group of student working together

Agreeing guidelines for inclusive interaction in course

Inclusive teaching practices are inseparable from high quality teaching practices, so inclusive teaching affects all aspects of a course and learning experience.  

Services
Oasis of Radical Wellbeing

Handbook on diversity in recruitments

This handbook is intended for use throughout Aalto community in supporting us making excellent recruitments that foster both excellence and equality.

Handbook on diversity and equality in recruitments
Handbook

Key contacts

 Kristiina Mäkelä

Kristiina Mäkelä

Provost
 Ida Salin

Ida Salin

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer
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