About us

The Chief Diversity Officer Team

The team of the Chief Diversity Officer of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) was established in April 2018. Each of us is very passionate about the topic of diversity and inclusion, and we are continuously working towards making the UvA a safer and more welcoming place.

Anne de Graaf

Chief Diversity Officer

Dr. Anne de Graaf has been the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) since November 2017. Her roles include helping drive the process of cultural change at the UvA toward greater equity, diversity and inclusion. As CDO she is charged with identifying, stimulating, creating and facilitating initiatives both inside and outside the institution; including, for example, her advice on competency-based hiring processes for the UvA but also for the VSNU and read more

Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Anne is currently also a Senior Lecturer at Amsterdam University College (AUC), where she teaches Human Rights Human Security and Peace Lab. She was formerly Head of Studies, Academic Core, as well as Diversity & Outreach Coordinator at AUC. Anne holds a PhD in International Relations; her research focuses on peace and conflict studies, particularly the role of youth, voice and agency.

Alfrida Martis

Researcher/Educator

Alfrida (Alfie) has been working with the CDO team since April 2018. Her tasks as Researcher/Educator include teaching and promoting inclusive education practices, diversity literacy and workshops on implicit bias. She also organizes diversity-related events at the UvA. As an Afro-Bonairian woman, she is able to transform her personal experiences facing racism and colonialism into valuable knowledge for her work. Since April 2015, Alfrida has been part of various bottom-up groups advocatingread more

a decolonial and democratic educational system, such as University of Colour, New Urban Collective, and Diversity Forum. She is currently finishing her Masters degree in Media Studies at the UvA. She is specializing in the Digital Humanities and writing her MA thesis on algorithmic oppression and the silencing of Afro-Dutch activists on Facebook.

Janissa Jacobs

Management Assistant
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Janissa joined the CDO team in August 2019 as management assistant to Anne de Graaf. Her tasks include strategic advice, administrative activities, facilitating workshops, and providing the Diversity Team with logistics and planning support. In her role, she co-facilitates tailored diversity workshops with Alfrida Martis for UvA students and staff. Prior to this, she specialized in business development and strategy at a global leadership advisory firm.read more

Janissa has a MSc in International Public Management and Policy and she speaks Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamentu; sometimes at the same time. As an avid lover of poetry, literature, and writing; Janissa is interested in exploring the role of creative outlets as a tool for healing past pain and trauma.

Thea van Schoot

Policy Advisor

Thea will be helping in policy design, incorporating diversity policy within the UvA structures. At the moment, she is focusing on breaking the glass ceiling, both within faculties and from a centralized approach.

CDO Team Mission & Vision

For a detailed description of the CDO mission and vision statements,
as well as the related objectives and activities, please consult the

UvA Diversity Website