The first formal initiative at CERN to promote gender diversity was launched in the early 1990's by a group of staff members who published a report containing a historical overview, and a series of recommendations towards equal opportunities for women at CERN.
The present-day Diversity & Inclusion Programme activities encompass a vast set of diversity facets to encourage mutual respect, inclusive policies and process, and effective collaboration.
Women at CERN, once upon a time... (CERN Bulletin article, 2 March 2015) documents how in 1995, a working group was set up to address the gender imbalance at CERN. Twenty years later, the people involved in the endeavour celebrated the long series of achievements recorded by today’s Diversity Office.
Timeline
1993
Advisory Group created to reflect on the situation of women at CERN.
- 1993 report on "Rapport du Groupe Consultatif de Reflexion sur la situation des femmes" in CDS
1996
Equal Opportunities Officer (EOO) function created 1996.
- 1996 - Sudeshna Datta-Cockerill appointed (see her reflections from 1992 to 2003, and the Equal Opportunities 2000 presentation)
- 1996 - Equal Opportunities at CERN policy published
- 2004 - Josi Schinzel appointed
- 2009 - Doris Chromek-Burckhart appointed
1998
Equal Opportunities Advisory Panel (EOAP) created. See also a selection of EOAP Documents in CDS, and the 1999 Equal Opportunities Policy.
- 1998 - John Ellis appointed Chair
- 2004 - Tiziano Camporesi appointed Chair
- 2009 - Timothy Smith appointed Chair
2010-2011
From Equal Opportunities to Diversity.
- EOO / EOAP dissolved (see From Equal Opportunities to Diversity
- Ombuds function created - Vincent Vuillemin appointed
- Harassment Investigation Panel (HIP) established (Operational Circular # 9) - Timothy Smith appointed Chair
2011
Diversity Programme launched.
- 2011-2013 - Sudeshna Datta-Cockerill appointed Diversity Programme Leader
- 2014-2018 - Geneviève Guinot appointed Diversity Programme Leader
- 2018-present - Louise Carvalho appointed Diversity Programme Leader