Dr. Meytal Eran-Jona is the head of Diversity and Inclusion Office.
The creation of this new position reflects the broad, inclusive approaches that are being adopted in leading research institutes around the world, as well as the recognition that human diversity is central to creating excellent organizations and scientific research. “My goal,” says Eran-Jona, “is to develop ways to create and maintain a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment, one that advances equality for people of all cultures, genders, ethnic groups, socioeconomic backgrounds or any other identity – and to ensure that all enjoy equal opportunity.”
Dr. Eran-Jona is a sociologist and gender expert. Her research has ranged from diversity within organizations to gender and family in the armed forces, to advancing women in academia and developing methodologies for public opinion research. She established and headed a center for social research within the Israeli Defense Intelligence, and in recent years she has been working with Prof. Yossi Nir on a study focused on promoting gender equality in the field of physics within academe.
In October 2019, Dr. Eran-Jona was elected chair of the GENERA Network, an organization supported by the Horizon 2020 program of the European Union. Founded in 2016, GENERA aims to advance gender equality in physics in the leading European research institutes and universities. It functions under the aegis of the EU project ACTonGender, which includes members from over 30 organizations, including the Max Planck Institutes and CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics.
“This network,” says Eran-Jona, “enhances international collaboration to support gender equality plans in physics, a field that is currently characterized by the underrepresentation of women scientists.”
Eran-Jona’s election – as an Israeli sociologist – to the chair of an organization for European physicists is a testament to her contribution to the GENERA project so far, as well as to the institutions’ faith in her ability to successfully initiate, lead and carry out a long-term, all-European project.
Sharon Diamant Pick, DEI Coordinator, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Sociologist, graduate of Tel Aviv University in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Research fields: gender studies, women in STEM, barriers to an academic career for female in physics.
Coordinates the office's activities for diversity, inclusion and equality.