Nurturing Diversity and Inclusive Skills for a Vibrant Talent Pool

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WIA-Europe Symposium 2024 Event

Women working in aerospace navigate not only gender-related challenges but also intersecting factors such as race, nationality, age, socioeconomic status, and LGBTQ identity. These intersecting identities can influence access to opportunities, career advancement, workplace experiences, and overall inclusion in the sector.

Recognising and addressing intersectionality allows for a more holistic understanding of the barriers and opportunities faced by women in aerospace. By understanding them, organisations can create more inclusive environments, foster diverse perspectives, and drive innovation and success in the industry. In this event, we will focus on the intersectionality of women in aerospace who are also part of the LGBTQ community and strategies for colleagues who want to be safe allies.

Together, we will look at how to:

· Build a more inclusive workplace environment

· Use inclusive language and communication practices

· React as a bystander of microaggressions

· Facilitate an open and respectful dialogue to foster understanding and support.

We aim to create a space where allies feel safe to ask questions that they otherwise might feel embarrassed or unsure to ask, learn from one another, and commit to building an inclusive and supportive workplace.

You can share your questions anonymously prior to the event here.

Event Speakers:

Dr. Marcelle A. Laliberté

Dr. Marcelle A. Laliberté (she/her) is the inaugural Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at HEC Paris, where she leverages her extensive background in higher education leadership and policy development. A passionate advocate for integrating DEI into the STEM fields and artificial intelligence, Dr. Laliberté directs strategic initiatives that enhance institutional policies and practices. Her research has significantly influenced the visibility and participation of women in the aerospace sector, culminating in a forthcoming publication on DEI in the New Space Economy by Oxford University Press. Additionally, Dr. Laliberté collaborates with the United Nations on global governance of AI technologies, ensuring that ethical considerations and human-centric values are prioritized. Beyond academia, she is a vocal proponent for women's representation in STEM and governance, demonstrated through her active participation in international conferences and her leadership in volunteer organizations. Dr. Laliberté's diverse professional journey—from serving in the Canadian Armed Forces to shaping DEI strategies in education and industry—exemplifies her comprehensive approach to fostering inclusive environments.

Cécile Deprez

Cécile Deprez (she/they) is a researcher in the field of satellite positioning (GPS) at the German Space Centre (DLR) in Munich. At DLR, Cécile has developed a number of activities related to diversity and inclusion as the co-founder of networks for women, internationals and LGBTQIA+ folks. Since 2022, Cécile has been active as a speaker on topics such as sexism, microaggressions, allyship, LGBTQIA+ community and communicating science. Cécile coordinated the research group on the visibility of women experts in STEM for Women-In-Aerospace Europe in 2022. Since 2024, they have initiated the development of the new focus group on Intersectionality and they propose monthly book reviews for WIA-E digest. Cécile is also co-founder of the association 'Sexisme Flop', in Belgium, which exposes the use of sexism in advertising.

Zoom links to the events will be provided to all registered participants.