How do you create a workplace where more people feel included? And how do you broaden perspectives in education? For Miroslava Vrsan Erlandsson and Tabita Nilsson, the answers have taken different forms – but they are now both receiving the Chalmers Equality Award for their efforts.
Miroslava Vrsan Erlandsson works as a printer in the Service Department and receives the award ‘for her dedicated work to strengthen inclusion, community and the working environment within the Service Department’. In her former role as Equality Representative, she initiated recurring group meetings last year where cleaning staff could meet in an informal setting and get to know one another better.
“I had the idea that it would be important for us to meet. So I baked and invited everyone for coffee, and invited the different units in smaller groups so that everyone would have the opportunity to speak,” says Miroslava Vrsan Erlandsson.
Language an important factor
The main reason behind the initiative was to bridge language barriers.
“When you speak face to face, you can read emotions differently. Having the format of a coffee break means it doesn’t become a case of standing up and saying, ‘now we’re going to start talking’. Instead, it becomes a moment where we simply spend time together and get to know one another, without any prestige. You learn more about each other’s backgrounds and gain a better understanding of your colleagues,” she says.
Miroslava Vrsan Erlandsson attended every meeting herself to help get the conversations started. The positive feedback came quickly.
“Many people were very pleased. For example, one team leader said they had started thinking more about the language they use in meetings, so that everyone feels included.”
Small initiatives can make a big difference
Miroslava Vrsan Erlandsson believes everyone should be engaged in issues relating to inclusion and equality, and says that significant results do not necessarily require major initiatives.
“Equality is easier to achieve if we interpret each other kindly and treat one another with compassion. That takes us a very long way. During the meetings we talked, among other things, about the fact that many people do not greet the cleaning staff – what is it that makes someone feel superior? After all, we all work at the same workplace.”
Miroslava Vrsan Erlandsson believes the approach could also be used in other parts of Chalmers.
“We’ve got to know each other on a deeper level and exchanged everything from tips on learning Swedish to recipes from many different countries. Ultimately, it’s about creating a sense of trust and security among colleagues – and meetings like these really can make a difference. The only cost was a little coffee and cake.”
Lifting underrepresented groups
Tabita Nilsson, Lecturer in Engineering at the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, receives the award ‘for her dedicated and long-term work to broaden perspectives and strengthen inclusion within architectural education’. Through her work in the Architecture Workshop, she has, among other things, highlighted women architects and Sámi architecture in her course on Nordic architecture, where model making is used as a way of exploring historical and contemporary architecture.
“I dared to take the step of freeing myself a little from the traditional way of looking at Nordic architecture, where the focus is often on a number of prominent – and usually male – architects. Instead, we began asking: what happens if we only look at women architects? What do we discover then? We found that it became a very exciting way of looking at things. It raises different questions, and the students become more willing to ask their own, deeper questions in their research,” says Tabita Nilsson.
After three years with women architects as the theme, it was time for a new direction.
“We then began working with a theme focusing on groups and popular movements that create their own place in history, including Sámi history. After that, the focus shifted entirely to architecture related to Sámi history and culture.”
‘An architect’s role is to see different perspectives’
The response from the students was very positive, and Tabita Nilsson believes it is important to highlight underrepresented groups in education.
“In their professional lives, students will work with groups they have no prior relationship with, so they need to understand that there are many different ways of seeing things – it is an architect’s role to be able to view the world from different perspectives. It is important to recognise that the perspective of the majority society is often left unspoken, and that it takes conscious effort to look beyond it.
“Hopefully, students learn that the world is complex and carry that understanding with them in the way they approach future challenges.”
The importance of highlighting role models
This way of working has also resulted in a richer collection of models in the workshop.
“We have achieved greater representation in the Model Collection, and that has sparked discussions and conversations among colleagues. In that way, the course has made a lasting impact.”
Tabita Nilsson feels that architecture is still regarded as a male-dominated field, with the enduring myth of ‘the great architect’, despite the fact that there are many women architects and architecture students.
“The higher up you go, the more male-dominated it becomes. This is something that we need to keep discussing and working on. Showing examples of women architects – and of other underrepresented groups as well – is important, because role models matter,” she says.
The Equality Award will be presented at the Chalmers Annual Academic Ceremony on 5 November.
Facts | Award citations
Miroslava Vrsan Erlandsson
Miroslava Vrsan Erlandsson receives the Chalmers Equality Award for her dedicated work to strengthen inclusion, community and the working environment within the Service Department. Through her work as Equality Representative, she has initiated and developed a structured approach based on group meetings for staff, where issues relating to equality, inclusion and the working environment can be discussed in a safe and open environment.
In a workplace characterised by considerable diversity, Miroslava has, through sensitivity, courage and strong commitment, created space for dialogue and greater mutual understanding. Her work has enabled colleagues to share experiences, strengthen their sense of community and lay the foundations for long-term, sustainable inclusion. Through her practical and systematic approach, she has demonstrated how dialogue and shared reflection can contribute to genuine change in everyday working life.
Tabita Nilsson
Tabita Nilsson receives the Chalmers Equality Award for her dedicated and long-term work to broaden perspectives and strengthen inclusion within architectural education. By highlighting women architects and Sámi culture in her teaching, she has actively brought forward groups and perspectives that have long been underrepresented within Nordic architecture, thereby contributing to important discussions about representation, norms and equality.
Tabita inspires both students and colleagues to reflect on whose stories and voices are given space in education and professional practice. Her work has not only influenced teaching but has also contributed to broader knowledge sharing through presentations, exhibitions and discussions among colleagues. Through her committed and inclusive approach, she has contributed to a more open and reflective culture at Chalmers.
Chalmers Equality Award
The Chalmers Equality Award is an annual award presented to one or more members of staff or students in recognition of efforts to promote equality, diversity and inclusion at Chalmers. The award of SEK 30,000 may be used for research, education or other professional activities.
Academic excellence is built on people’s ability to develop, collaborate and contribute their expertise. Equality and inclusion are therefore an important part of creating an inclusive culture of excellence at Chalmers. The Chalmers Equality Award recognises individuals whose efforts help make this possible.