Dr. Jojanneke van der Toorn appointed to lead a new unique academic post in the Netherlands.
In a ground-breaking move, Workplace Place Foundation, Leiden University and Dutch telecom giant KPN have cooperated to create the Workplace Pride Chair at Leiden University which will focus on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) inclusion in the workplace.
Dr. Jojanneke van der Toorn will be assuming the Chair as of January 1, 2017.
This Chair, which is the first of its kind in the world, will provide a focused and scientific approach to improving LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace and will foster the development of scholarship in this priority research field both domestically and internationally.
It will create a theoretical framework on which to base future studies of international LGBT+ workplace studies, and identify factors that influence LGBT+ inclusiveness in society and its dynamics. It will include practical applications for employers and represent the field and the Foundation to external audiences and media.
It will also incorporate scientific knowledge in this area of inquiry into the BA and MA programs of Leiden University who will be providing the scientific structure.
Prof. dr. Hannah Swaab, Dean, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, at Leiden University, said: “Due to her extensive academic experience in exploratory issues at the cutting edge of social and organisational developments, Dr. van der Toorn is uniquely qualified to fill this position.
“Dr. van der Toorn performed best in an extensive vetting process with candidates from around the world so we are excited about getting started with the Chair”.
Dr. van der Toorn will be working closely with Workplace Pride’s 50 corporate and governmental members during the 5-year tenure of the chair.
David Pollard, Executive Director of Workplace Pride Foundation, added: “Connecting with our members on a regular basis will create a framework that includes both theoretical aspects of LGBT+ workplace inclusion as well as their practical application.”
The creation of the Chair would not have been possible without the generous support of leading Dutch telecommunications company KPN.
Eelco Blok, CEO of KPN, said: “KPN connects our society which is characterised by its differences. We believe in the power of these differences, be it in age, gender, background, sexual orientation, physical ability or religious convictions. This way, we give everyone the room to be themselves and work together to make life more free, easier and more fun.
”It is not for nothing that KPN is the proud main sponsor of the first academic chair in the world, located at Leiden University, which will carry out research on LGBT+ inclusion at work. We expect to get new scientific insights in factors which are instrumental in LGBT+ people being able to be themselves in the workplace.”
In her role as Chair Holder, Dr. Van der Toorn will be located at Leiden University in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
For enquiries regarding the Chair email: david@workplacepride.org