Diversity and inclusivity
Diversity and inclusivity
From the very start, we recognized the importance of diversity within our team. We believed that a variety of perspectives and experiences would not only enhance our creativity but also improve our problem-solving skills. With this in mind, we set out to recruit team members from a wide range of backgrounds.
To make sure that all students at Jagiellonian University had an equal opportunity to join us, we created and distributed recruitment posters across all science faculties – namely the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Biotechnology (FBBB), the Faculty of Biology (FB), the Faculty of Chemistry (FCh), the Faculty of Physics (FPH), and the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science (FMCS). This approach helped us encourage students from various disciplines to apply.
The selection process involved interviews conducted by our team leaders, who assessed candidates based on their skills, enthusiasm, and potential contributions to the team. Every participant who applied until we filled the available spots was granted an interview, ensuring a fair and transparent process. Each candidate answered the same set of questions, allowing us to assess everyone on an equal basis. This approach helped us maintain consistency and make informed decisions about team members.
We’re proud to have brought together a diverse group of 10 students from 3 different faculties. Our team includes both undergraduate and graduate students, bringing together a colourful blend of knowledge and experience.
When we began our project, all of our team members, as well as our supervisors, had little prior experience in the SynBio field. This shared starting point created a unique opportunity for learning and growing together. Every one of us had to discover for ourselves what it means to be part of iGEM and, more specifically, to be on the JU-Krakow team. Since we were all new to this as the first team from our university to take part in the competition, it created a strong sense of belonging. Everyone felt empowered to share their ideas. We held weekly meetings where each member had the chance to talk about their progress, discuss any challenges they were facing, and ask for help when needed.
As part of our educational efforts, we aimed to connect with students from different backgrounds—ranging from primary school kids to high schoolers and university students. We tailored our approach to match their understanding of the concepts we discussed. We also engaged with the public through media like radio and attended conferences. For these presentations, we made sure to adjust our language and content to make the science behind our project accessible to a diverse audience, considering different backgrounds, languages (both Polish and English), and age ranges.
We believe that everyone should have a voice in science, and that includes participation in iGEM. We believe that iGEM and synthetic biology can greatly benefit from a diversity of opinions. However, for this to happen, people need to first be aware of their existence. That’s why our primary focus during the conferences, workshops, and meetings we held with students, community members, and industry representatives was to showcase the possibilities within synthetic biology and how they can contribute to the bigger picture.
In Poland, where the field is still emerging, we were especially excited to spread this message and ensure all voices are heard. Our goal was not only to involve others in our project but also to demonstrate that scientific innovation impacts us all. Everyone should have a role in discussing and shaping its future.
We made every effort to make our project and hardware design accessible to the colourblind community. Our 3D-printed chip features raised pattern elements, making different chambers distinguishable by touch alone. Additionally, we used colorblind-friendly palettes for our graphs and charts wherever possible to enhance clarity and understanding for all users.
