The University of Iceland is committed to promoting equality and diversity in all fields and strives to be at the forefront in all areas of equality. Various measures are employed in order to do this, one being an ambitious equality policy which encompasses both staff and students. A great deal of important equality work is done at the University by various departments, research centres, and individuals as well as students and their grassroots organisations. Please contact jafnretti@hi.is for further information. Equality Officer The role of Equality Officer of the University of Iceland is shared by Arnar Gíslason and Sveinn Guðmundsson. The Equality Officer holds an administrative position within the University and oversees equality-related matters, working alongside the Equal Rights Committee as well as chairing the Council for Disability Rights. Among other things, the role of the Equality Officer is to ensure the implementation of the Equal Rights Policy, provide technical advice on equality-related matters as well as working towards making equality and diversity an established part of the University of Iceland. Appointments can be made via email: jafnretti@hi.is or telephone: +354 525 4095. Professional Council on Responding to Gender-related and Sexual Harassment The University Council appoints a Professional Council on responding to gender-related and sexual harassment and other sexual violence, in accordance with Article 3 of the below-linked rules of procedure (approved 16 January 2014). The appointments are valid for three years. Members of the council are: Þóra S. Einarsdóttir, Psychologist at DMG, chair. Þóra can be reached by email at thora@dmg.is and by telephone at +354 770 7252. Finnborg Salome Steinþórsdóttir, Post-doctoral researcher in Gender Studies, Faculty of political Science Kári Hólmar Ragnarsson, Lecturer, Faculty of Law Jónina Helga Ólafsdóttir, Project Manager at the Division of Human Resources, and Arnar Gíslason, UI Equality Officer, work with the council. Rules of procedure on the response to gender-related and sexual harassment and other sexual violence at the University of Iceland Research centres At the University of Iceland there are many research centres working on equality and diversity: EDDA – Center of Excellence The Institute of Human Rights MARK – Center for Diversity and Gender Research The Centre for Disability Studies The Research Centre for Migration and Multiculturalism (in Icelandic) The Centre for Multi-Cultural Studies RIKK – Institute for Gender, Equality and Difference Rannkyn – The Centre for Research on Equality, Gender and Education The Research Centre for School Inclusion Equality focused student organisations Students at the University of Iceland are involved with many equality projects. The Student Union has an Equal Rights Committee and Officer, as well as a Student Interests and Loan Officer and an International Committee. For more information visit the Student Union homepage. A few equality focussed student organisations have been founded which greatly add to equality work at the University. The Feminist Organisation of UI The Feminist Organisation of UI is for both students and staff at the University. The organisation is apolitical and fights for gender equality. The Feminist Organisation of the UI on Facebook Q – Queer Student Association The purpose of Q is to give queer students an opportunity to socialise in a safe environment, to provide them with support, and encourage cohesion. Q aims to be a visible force within the University of Iceland on behalf of queer students and to fight for equality and respect, especially concerning the topics of sex/gender, gender identity, and sexuality as well as educating students and teachers on these issues. Q – Queer Student Association website Q – Queer Student Association on Facebook Email: queer@queer.is Ada - Women in Information Technology The purpose of Ada is to create a platform to empower women who are pursuing an education in tech related fields at the University of Iceland. Ada wants to establish a safe environment for women to create connections, share their experience and support each other. Alongside Ada wants to inform potential students about the opportunities in tech related fields and increase the visibility of female role models in tech. Ada Website Ada on Facebook Asian Students Association in Iceland Asian Students Association in Iceland on Facebook Equality Days Equality Days at the University of Iceland are held annually, every autumn since 2009. Equality days combine various aspects of equality and feminism and focus on diversity, privilege, silencing, the struggle for equality, power, and discrimination. Equality days will take place 3-7 of February 2020. See event programme in Icelandic Event programme in English We try to create an open discussion, a better understanding of equality and to increase the visibility of this important issue, utilising the strength of the broad range of people operating in the field of equality. The aim of Equality Days is to promote discussions and understanding of issues of equality. All Icelandic universities participate in Equality Days, further information can be found at Equality days on Facebook. Sign language interpretation The University of Iceland provides deaf and hearing impaired students with sign language interpreters. For more information and assistance regarding interpretation contact the Student Counselling and Career Centre. Teachers and other staff members are asked to contact the interpretation service supervisor. Interpretation service supervisor: Magnús Stephenssen, Student Counseling and Career Centre, University of Iceland. Email: msteph@hi.is, tel: +354 525 4315 / +354 847 6402. Publications, research, and reports Every four years the Equal Rights Committee publishes a report on the Status and Development regarding Equality at UI, which is translated into English and can be found here: Status and Development regarding Equality at the University of Iceland 2008-2011 Status and Development regarding Gender Equality at the University of Iceland 2003-2007 Equality in Teaching: Checklist NON-/DISABILITY – THOUGHTS ON A BETTER UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY For more readings, in Icelandic, you can visit the Icelandic version of the equality website. Laws and regulations Various Laws Act on Public Higher Education Institutions, No. 85/2008 Act on Equal Status and Equal Rights of Women and Men, No. 10/2008 Act on Maternity/Paternity leave and Parental leave, No. 95/2000 Act on Prohibition on Termination of Employment due to Family Responsibilities, No. 27/2000 (Icelandic only) Act on the Affairs of Disabled People, No. 59/1992 (Icelandic only) UI Regulations and Rules of Procedure Rules of Procedure on the Response to Gender-related and Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Violence Regulation on disability services for study at the University of Iceland, no. 481/2010 Special procedures regarding bullying (in Icelandic) Special procedures regarding resources for people with mental disorders (in Icelandic) facebooklinkedintwitter
