Start-up fund for researchers to help establish equity UTokyo D&I Actions and Messages
― UTokyo D&I Campaign 2022 ―
The University of Tokyo has launched a campaign aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion on campus, and making the university a place where people from diverse backgrounds can thrive. The initiative, called UTokyo D&I Campaign 2022, started in March 2022. Here, we introduce plans and actions related to D&I initiatives from members of the UTokyo community, including deans and directors of various UTokyo organizations.
Actions and Messages
Start-up fund for researchers to help establish equity
Takao HENSCH, Director, International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN)
IRCN has been operated with the “World Premier International Research Center Initiative” (WPI) fund from MEXT since 2017. Out of the eight principal investigators directly hired with the WPI fund, four are from overseas, and three are female researchers. The post-docs to be hired with the WPI fund are, in principle, female scientists or from overseas selected via an internationally open job posting. In their first three years, these members are supported with the “start-up” fund to rapidly bring up their research environment for the sake of “equity.” While Diversity and Inclusion are important endpoints, the vital bridge linking them is Equity. All members must first reach a shared playing field to contribute to a common goal. Therefore, a strategic equity plan is needed to reach a global DEI standard (not just D&I).
