ASTP proudly announces the launch of its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Toolkit – Adapted for Europe, an essential resource designed to empower Knowledge and Technology Transfer Offices (K/TTOs) across Europe with actionable strategies to promote equity, celebrate diversity, and foster inclusion.
The Journey to the European EDI Toolkit
The idea for the European EDI Toolkit emerged in 2023, when Danielle Counotte (Utrecht Holdings, Netherlands) approached the ASTP Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Special Interest Group (EDI SIG) with a bold vision: to adapt the successful EDI Toolkit recently published by AUTM for an audience in Europe. Collaborating with Anji Miller (LifeArc & GEDITT, UK) and Nessim Kichik (Edinburgh Innovations, UK), who serve as EDI SIG coordinators and EDI advocates, the team began designing a toolkit tailored to the unique needs and contexts of European K/TTOs.
The project gained momentum at the ASTP Annual Conference in Seville, where Danielle presented an early version of the new toolkit. The enthusiastic response from attendees confirmed the need for such a resource in Europe, paving the way for today’s launch.
Toolkit Highlights
The EDI Toolkit provides practical guidance and resources, taking the European landscape into consideration. It includes:
- A Data-Driven Approach to EDI: Guidance on how to measure and address biases, track demographics, and assess impact. While measurement tools are not included in this version, they are planned for future updates.
- Customisable Policies and Frameworks: While this edition does not yet include ready-to-use templates, future versions will expand on this area. The toolkit will continue to grow as a shared resource, incorporating best practices and practical tools over time.
- Insights on Psychological Safety and Inclusion: Guidance on creating supportive environments that value every individual and foster inclusive workplace cultures.
- Compliance with GDPR and EU Standards: A focus on legal considerations, ensuring ethical and responsible data usage.
Quotes from Key Voices
To celebrate the launch, ASTP President, Art Bos (Head of KTO, Erasmus University, Netherlands), highlighted the significance of this effort:
“This toolkit represents ASTP’s commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in the knowledge transfer field. I am extremely proud of all involved in making this toolkit a reality. The result is a practical and powerful tool for building a more inclusive innovation ecosystem and a vital resource for empowering organisations to take meaningful action.”
Lisa Mueller, (Chair, AUTM EDI Committee & Host of the AUTM on the Air podcast, US), who reviewed the toolkit and provided feedback based on her familiarity with the AUTM version, shared:
“ASTP has created a comprehensive and nuanced EDI toolkit that addresses the specific needs and challenges of European Tech Transfer Professionals. This resource is poised to become an essential guide for fostering inclusive innovation practices throughout Europe..”
Lead author, Danielle Counotte (Business Developer, Utrecht Holdings & Co-Chair of ASTP EDI SIG, Netherlands) reflected on the collaborative journey:
“I’m convinced of the value of an inclusive, accessible and diverse working environment, but sometimes it is hard to visualize how to get there or what to improve. I hope this toolkit will help K/TTOs across Europe to embark or continue on this journey and make the knowledge transfer community a place where everyone feels invited to have their differences make the difference.”
What’s Next and How You Can Use It?
The launch of the EDI Toolkit is just the beginning. ASTP invites you to explore this resource and start integrating its principles into your organization. Beyond simply using the toolkit, we want to hear from you.
Share your experiences, challenges, and case studies with us, so we can continue to refine and expand the toolkit to meet your needs. Let’s work together to make equity, diversity, and inclusion an integral part of the knowledge transfer ecosystem.
If you’re wondering how we can help you apply these tools effectively, ASTP is here to support you. Through upcoming workshops and feedback sessions, we aim to provide ongoing guidance and collaboration opportunities.
Looking Ahead
ASTP invites KTOs to explore the toolkit and participate in upcoming workshops to learn how to apply its principles effectively.
The EDI Toolkit is now available for download. For more information, contact edisig@astp4kt.eu.
Together, let’s take a significant step forward in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the knowledge transfer field.