Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
History
The ESRS Forum for Women in Sleep Research was founded by Irene Tobler, Tarja Porkka-Heiskanen, and Myriam Kerkhofs, initially as a discussion group dedicated to supporting women in the field. In 2000, it became an official working group within the ESRS framework.
At its first formal announcement, the Forum was named the Forum for European Women in Sleep Research. Recognising the need for broader inclusivity, in 2021, the Forum was renamed the ESRS Gender Equality Forum (GEF) to reflect the participation of researchers of all genders across Europe and beyond in pursuing gender equality in science.
In 2024/2025, the Forum is evolving once again, transitioning into the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (EDIC). While gender equality remains a critical focus, this transformation acknowledges the importance of fostering inclusion, diversity, and equality more broadly across ESRS and its activities. The shift to EDIC ensures that all underrepresented groups have a voice in shaping a more equitable and inclusive scientific community.
Mission
The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) is a taskforce for early-career and senior scientists of all gender identities, dedicated to fostering a more equitable and representative sleep research community. EDIC builds on the work of the Gender Equality Forum (GEF), expanding its focus to ensure that diversity, inclusion, and equity are embedded across all ESRS activities.
 EDIC aims to:
- Raise awareness of systemic inequalities in sleep research, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, and their impact on individuals and the broader scientific community.
- Identify and address challenges related to inequality within ESRS and the wider field of sleep research, ensuring fair representation across all groups.
- Promote equal treatment for all ESRS members, regardless of their sex, gender identity, or background, and advocate for inclusive policies and practices.
- Ensure a welcoming and inclusive space where all individuals in the sleep research field feel empowered to share their work and contribute to scientific progress.
- Highlight barriers to participation within ESRS and the sleep community, working towards meaningful and lasting changes that foster inclusivity.
- Encourage diverse perspectives in shaping ESRS initiatives, strengthening the organisation’s impact on sleep science, medicine, and education.
As a newly re-established group, the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) is setting the foundations for a more inclusive and representative ESRS community. In the short term, we are expanding our network by welcoming new members, refining our objectives, and strengthening our collaboration with the ESRS Board to ensure that EDI principles are embedded in the society’s activities.
Looking ahead, EDIC will conduct surveys to understand the experiences and needs of ESRS and ANSS members, develop society-wide EDI guidelines, and propose a code of conduct for ESRS congresses. We will also work to integrate EDI-focused discussions into key events, such as Sleep Europe, ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion remain central to the society’s mission.
Members
Working Groups
- by ESRS
- by ESRS
- by ESRS.
