Dr. Gönül Dilaver, currently Biomedical Sciences program director at UMC Utrecht, has been appointed professor of Inclusive Higher Education. This appointment, effective April 1, 2024, marks an important moment in efforts to make education at Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht more accessible and inclusive. Over the years, Dilaver has championed the connection between science, society and inclusion in higher education.
Gönül Dilaver‘s vision of inclusive education is holistic: she emphasizes that it is not only about the diversity of students, but also that fundamental adjustments are needed in the design of study programs. Dilaver indicates that diversity and inclusion in education will enrich all students because it prepares them for a society and world in which diversity is a given. She is determined to use her knowledge and expertise to integrate these values into both the curriculum and the educational learning environment.
One of the key points in her approach is the development of specific tools and strategies that make education truly inclusive. The strategies Dilaver proposes are aimed at broadening their perspective and promoting empathy and respect for others. Students should learn not only about the impact of science on society, but also what the interaction between science and society can bring us. The importance of thoughtful research design is emphasized. She explains that inclusive education can help develop a broader understanding of the world and supports the exploration of different perspectives. This can lead to richer discussions of social issues and contributes to collaboration and critical thinking among students. Offering education that includes diverse perspectives challenges stereotypes and promotes cultural understanding.
Her appointment as professor comes after a long and illustrious career in academic teaching and educational management. Following her master’s and doctorate in cell biology, where she already developed a strong interest in academic teaching, Dilaver continued her academic career as associate professor and senior advisor of the Biomedical Sciences program at Radboud University Nijmegen. In 2007, she became coordinator of the master’s program in Biomedical Sciences at UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University and chair of the Life Sciences Education Expertise Group. In 2016, she was appointed associate professor in Research and Innovation in Biomedical Education.
Dilaver has also played an important role in diversity and inclusion initiatives within UMC Utrecht. In 2017, she established the UMC Utrecht Diversity and Inclusion Platform, an important initiative to increase and disseminate knowledge and expertise on diversity and inclusion. Her work has led to significant educational innovations such as the Life Sciences and Society profile and Unraveling Bias in Science.
She was appointed by Utrecht University as Senior Fellow in 2019 and Principal Fellow in 2022 on the theme Inclusive Education. She was also recently awarded an NWO Comenius Leadership fellowship on ‘Fostering an open mind and attitude in higher education using games and art-based educational activities’. This is a comprehensive innovation project within Utrecht University and aims to teach students to adopt different perspectives and participate in open dialogue through the use of creative learning activities.
The appointment of Gönül Dilaver as Professor of Inclusive Higher Education is a promising development for Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht and for higher education in general. Her approach provides a model for other educational institutions striving to create a more inclusive educational environment.
