International Women's Day Lunch

On International Women’s Day we celebrate the social, economic, cultural, political, and academic achievements of women, but also reflect on the challenges that still lie ahead for gender equality.

During this lunchtime programme we’ll spotlight the 2023 LNVH Women Professors Monitor and reflect on gender equality within the UvA and beyond. In this critical discussion we will be joined by our Faculty's Operational Management Director Anne van de Graaf, Professor in World Literatures Barnita Bagchi and Director of the Dutch Network of Women Professors Lidwien Poorthuis to offer their insights and perspectives on this important topic. The discussion will be moderated by our Diversity Officer Kristine Johanson. This event is open for students, UvA employees, researchers and all other interested in learning more about this topic.

Attendance is free and lunch will be provided. Lunch is between 12:00 and 14:00. The roundtable takes place from 12:30 until 13:30. Please let us know you’re coming via the registration link on this webpage. We hope to see you there!

This programme is organised in collaboration with the Faculty Diversity Office and the Faculty of Humanities. 

Guests

Anne van de Graaf has long worked in Dutch Higher Education, and related organisations. After her BA in socio-economic history and obtaining a MA in Public Policy and Public Adminstration, Anne worked for UAF, the Ministry of Development Cooperation and the British Council, among others. Over time, she ended up in Higher Education and has held various positions at the UvA and Erasmus University. She currently works as director of business operations at the Faculty of Humanities of the UvA. Anne wholeheartedly supports the 'women's cause' and knows from experience how difficult it can be to combine a career and a family.

Barnita Bagchi is Chair and Professor of World Literatures in English at the University of Amsterdam, where she moved from her previous post as Associate Professor in Comparative Literature at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Educated at Jadavpur, Oxford, and Cambridge universities, she has published widely on utopia/ dystopia, histories of transnational and women’s education, and women’s writing in western Europe and south Asia.

Drs. Lidwien Poorthuis (1982) is managing director of the Dutch Network of Women Professors (LNVH). Since her studies she has worked in higher education and research for over 15 years. At the LNVH she is responsible for policy making and policy development, and the initiation and support of gender equality related projects and activities. She is the author of the annual ‘Women Professors Monitor’. Her focus lies in advocating for proportional representation, improving the position of all women in academia – regardless of their background - and achieving a safe and inclusive academic work environment where equal pay is the norm.