Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
In 2022, the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) established the ARI Gender Equality Working Group (GEWG) to develop and implement its first Gender Equality Plan (GEP). The plan was based on an assessment of gender equality at ARI, including an employee survey, sex-disaggregated data collection, and a review of existing policies and best practices.
The ARI GEP aims to foster an inclusive research environment where everyone has equal opportunities for career development and advancement. You can find the ARI GEP 2023-2025 here and the corresponding first, second- and third-year reports.
Following the successful implementation of the first GEP, ARI has established its second ARI GEP 2026–2028. Building on previous achievements and lessons learned, the new GEP continues to strengthen ARI’s commitment to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion by promoting an inclusive culture, addressing potential barriers, and supporting equal opportunities across the research environment.
You can find the ARI GEP 2026–2028 here.
Learn more about the AO's diversity, inclusion, and mentorship programs developed with AO Access and Inclusive Excellence.
What has been done so far
Diversity in Research and Beyond
ARI and AOF co-organized and hosted the Diversity-gr event “Diversity in Research and Beyond” on November 2025. The event brought together over 50 participants from ARI, AO and other research institutes and companies across the canton Graubünden. The program included two keynotes’ speakers (Dr. Katrin Arnold - Head of Roche Innovation Center Basel - and Tatjana Topalovic - Senior Programm Manager Diversity, Inclusion and Mentorship) at the AO Foundation), themed break-out discussion sessions and a plenary panel, followed by a networking apéro.
International Lecture
In September 2025, a lecture entitled “Gender Equality in Research - ARI Gender Equality Plan” was delivered within the framework of the European project “Baltic Biomaterials Center of Excellence” (BBCE) at Riga Technical University, Latvia. The presentation further contributed to fostering dialogue on gender equality in an international academic environment.
Researchers Beer at Kulturplatz Davos - 2nd edition
In March 2024, ARI co-organized a “Research beer” event on diversity in research and technology at the Kulturplatz Davos. David Schmid, Regional Development & Relations Manager Eastern Switzerland and Samantha Paoletti, Head Research and Business Development Life Science Technologies both work for Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), presented the Diversity-gr project, which promotes diversity and equality in the IT and technology sector.
Inspiring female scientists from ARI's network - 2nd edition
In the second edition of "Inspiring Female Scientists from ARI's Network," Professor Gerjo van Osch, principal investigator at the Department of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine & Otorhinolaryngology, Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands, shared her successful career path as a female scientist. She talked about the opportunities she encountered along her career journey and what and who motivated and guided her through these choices. Several early-stage researchers from ARI, including a group of twelve students from the University of Basel, attended the event and actively participated in the discussion. This event contributed to fostering a more gender-diverse culture among careers in science for the next generations.
Inspiring female scientists from ARI's network - 1st edition
In November 2023, the first edition of "Inspiring Female Scientists from ARI’s Network" was held. Professor Ilse Jonkers, the Director of iSi Health at KU Leuven Institute for Physics-Based Modeling for In Silico Health, shared her successful career journey as a female scientist. She discussed her motivations, values, and how she overcame obstacles throughout her career. The initiative's goal is to connect early-stage female researchers with successful female scientists, motivate and inspire them to continue their careers in science, and build a professional and mentoring network of peers.
Gender equality awareness-raising workshop
In February and March 2023, two workshops (in English and German) were held for the staff of ARI. The workshops were led by Nunzia Di Luise, the Gender Equality Officer at ARI, and Judith Baumberger, HR partner at AO Foundation. The main aim of the workshops was to provide the participants with facts, evidence, and arguments related to gender equality. The workshops were designed to increase awareness and knowledge about gender equality, with a particular focus on research and innovation.
Unconscious bias workshop
In March 2023, Tatjana Topalovic, Senior Program Manager of Diversity, Inclusion, and Mentorship at AO Foundation, and Nunzia Di Luise, the Gender Equality Officer at ARI, organized a workshop for ARI employees in leadership positions. The workshop was designed to be highly interactive with small groups discussing selected biases. The aim was to help participants learn more about the topic of diversity and reflect on their attitudes towards it in the workplace.
Researchers Beer at Kulturplatz Davos
On March 7, 2023, Academia Raetica and ARI organized a Researchers Beer event at Kulturplatz Davos with Sara Dolf-Metzler, Head of Diversity at Fachhochschule Graubünden. The event featured a comprehensive discussion on several topical issues, such as how to create a more diverse and inclusive working environment and overcome stereotypes.
Photo credit: Academia Raetica