Caterina Soldano pays attention to words in everyday situations

What do you do for work? 

I spend most of my time between research and teaching. I very much enjoy being in the laboratory and try to find time to do some research on my own and with our students.

What acts of inclusion do you do in your work? 

I have often participated in events about equality, diversity and inclusion during the years. Since joining the school’s EDI committee in 2023, I have become more active and aware of how everyday simple actions can either include or exclude people. I have started to strongly challenge my own assumptions about people, places and situations, which are based on my cultural background and my own experience.

Nowadays I find myself constantly paying more attention to the words I use in everyday life. For example, I now question if my usual language, tone and way of interacting with others is indeed respectful and inclusive in casual conversations – and make changes when needed. With time, this has become more and more natural. We can all start from those small changes to contribute to creating a more welcoming and inclusive atmosphere in our community.