DEI-RELATED QUOTES FROM MPs

This page showcases anonymized quotes on DEI from members of the SY department. Most of the interviewees are early-career professionals, and their responses stress the significance of DEI for younger generations along with their expectations for the workplace. Quotes from more experienced employees underscore the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion for effective problem-solving and for achieving results.

“Throughout my time, the core truth is that everything I’ve seen and been part of that has been a major success, has been borne of a truly diverse and inclusive approach: everyone together.”

“For me, inclusion is at the core of CERN’s values and diversity is at the heart of its strength. Working together effectively on such huge and ambitious projects is only possible by harnessing all perspectives. Future projects will be even more international and diverse that the present ones, and can only succeed with a completely inclusive approach.”

“After nearly a decade at CERN, working across departments and roles, I have seen how diversity is not just a strength—it is essential for innovation. When people from different cultures, backgrounds, and ways of thinking come together, we challenge each other, refine ideas, and push the boundaries of science. This spirit of inclusion is what drives discovery. If we want to build the next generation of accelerators and detectors, we must ensure that CERN remains a place where diverse perspectives shape the future of physics.”

“In my opinion one of the greatest benefits of the “information age” is the possibility to be exposed to ideas, beliefs, opinions from all across the world. It allows us to develop better understanding of other people and the world around us. The uniquely diverse work environment at CERN (both from the point of view of national, and cultural diversity, and an increasing inclusion of underrepresented social groups in science) helps us chip away at ever-present biases, and preconceptions. I think, in the field of science, a group with wide educational and cultural backgrounds, where people are open to each other’s inputs, has the chance of reaching better, more robust solutions.”

“Since I started working at CERN, I’ve come to realize that diversity isn’t just a strength, Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to success and innovation at CERN. Every country represented at CERN brings an additional opportunity for discovery. As the scientific community is predominantly male, it is essential that both male and female voices are heard. We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of science, and it’s important that opportunities are open to all. Diversity, whether of background or ideas, strengthens our collaborations and drives us to make new discoveries that reflect the world we live in.”

“Through working on technical projects at CERN, it becomes very clear that diverse teams offer a wide range of perspectives and can find unique, unexpected, and more optimized solutions to a larger set of challenges. As CERN’s initiatives to foster a diverse, equal and inclusive culture start to produce results, we are experiencing better problem-solving, more creativity, and a more engaging and constructive work flow. It’s a noticeable, remarkable and welcome trend for those of us just at the start of our careers.”

“At CERN, our understanding of both the universe and humanity expands through the collaborative efforts of many. This growth is accelerated by diverse contributions from individuals from all backgrounds, and without them, it would stagnate. I find the CERN environment cultivates this creative collaboration, encouraging each of us to uphold and promote this inclusive ethos in our professional lives.”

“The strength of CERN lies in the fact that any motivated individual, regardless of culture or language or status, can come to this one location in space-time to push the boundaries of what humans are capable of and share our innovations with the rest of humanity. Being a melting pot of ideas from people across the globe is not just a feature but also a crucial aspect of what CERN strives for. My time here has repeatedly proven that science is, by definition, equal, diverse, and inclusive; and future projects such as the FCC are precisely what keep this science alive.”

“Every voice should be heard and valued and the more the voices, the more the perspectives the more complex fundamental problems will be solved. Seeding a diverse team and environment today will allow us to harvest a rich and fruitful scientific community in the near future, that will be able to face the challenges of the next big machines and scientific discoveries. I see no better place to foster this culture than CERN.”

“After a while, we start to take it for granted, but it’s always amazing the magic that allows so many people with such a different cultural and educational, linguistic background, to meet and work together either to just have a dinner with flavors from all around the world or collide the “two needles across the Atlantic”. Especially in these days, seeing the differences between the cultures as an advantage and not as a way to build walls it is what can prepare humanity to tackle the upcoming challenges: it could be seen as revolutionary, but at CERN we do it since 1954. And integration doesn’t mean to smooth and even out differences, but to rebalance approaches polarized by a single view of the world and of doing things, giving the opportunity to break our recurrent schemas. Especially important for this is the diversity in gender, where CERN is still improving, but things seem to move..!”

“When people think of CERN, they often picture groundbreaking scientific discoveries and cutting-edge technologies. While this is a core part of CERN’s success and contribution to society, its impact extends beyond science. The true foundation of CERN’s achievements lies in the international collaboration of thousands of individuals—scientists, engineers, technicians, and staff from diverse cultural and national backgrounds—all working toward a common goal. This environment fosters not only scientific innovation but also a model of cooperation that is rare in today’s world. CERN is more than just a research institution; it is a unique experiment in global collaboration. Within its laboratories and offices, language barriers are overcome, cultural differences are respected, and solutions emerge from the fusion of perspectives. This cooperative spirit is not just a means to an end; it is an achievement in itself—one that holds valuable lessons beyond the realm of physics. This spirit of collaboration should not remain confined within CERN’s walls. In a world often divided by geopolitical tensions, economic competition, and conflicting ideologies, CERN stands as proof that mutual cooperation can lead to remarkable progress. The principles that enable CERN to function—open dialogue, shared resources, and a commitment to a greater purpose—could serve as a framework for addressing global challenges and to impact the local communities where the CERN personnel originate from. CERN has the potential to be more than a hub for scientific discovery; it can be a model for how humanity can work together to achieve extraordinary progress. Science has always been a driving force for societal advancement, but CERN proves that the process of discovery itself—built on cooperation, diversity, and shared ambition—can be just as transformative as the discoveries themselves.”

“Diversity fuels discovery, like the seed of a plant. Equity ensures opportunity, allows for the plant to grow. Inclusion fosters innovation, allowing a plant to blossom with flowers. In physics, progress happens when every mind—regardless of background—has the space to question, explore, and redefine the universe. Without all three, diversity, equality, or inclusion – you limit the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of physics, you have a seed that never grows. CERN is a beautiful example that encourages and supports a growing, blossoming environment.”

“I strongly believe in diversity, equality, and inclusion in science. To me, it means bringing together people with different backgrounds but shared interests, which helps us see things from new angles and makes everyday life more interesting. Science transcends gender and cultural differences. Therefore, everyone should have an equal opportunity to pursue their passions and interests. At the same time, this often requires leaving one’s home country and cultural environment, which I know from experience can be challenging. This highlights the need for genuine inclusion and support in the local area and scientific community.”

“I believe that diversity is the foundation of innovation. Bringing together people from different cultures, genders, disciplines and perspectives creates an environment where complex problems are tackled from multiple angles, leading to breakthroughs that wouldn’t be possible in a homogenous setting. Inclusion ensures that every voice is heard, every idea is valued and every person feels empowered to contribute. As we look to the future of particle physics, fostering an open and diverse CERN will be essential to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and paving the way for groundbreaking scientific discoveries”

“I believe that fostering inclusivity is crucial for the future of CERN, as innovation flourishes when different ideas and experiences come together. Here I’ve seen firsthand how efforts such as diverse recruitment, equal opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture ensure that everyone regardless of gender, nationality or background can contribute fully to advancing science for humanity. Everyone learns and absorbs knowledge in different ways, and bringing together people from diverse backgrounds on a global scale creates a truly unique environment for collaboration and knowledge sharing. This diversity of perspectives and approaches enhances creativity, problem-solving, and innovation, making collective learning even more powerful and with such large projects on CERN’s horizon, I believe this is critical.”

“75 years ago, CERN was founded after the divisions imposed by WWII, bringing nations together in a world-wide unique prototype for scientific collaboration. Large projects, like the FCC, require pushing the boundaries of collaboration & innovation and they can only flourish when inclusion and diversity in all of its forms is not an afterthought but a foundation.”

“Diversity and inclusion are key features of a successful (international) organisation. They allow for finding creative solutions to complex problems. For more than 70 years, CERN has demonstrated its capabilities of reaching ambitious goals in building and running state-of-the-art accelerator-based research facilities. Since my first day at CERN, I have been fascinated by the collaborative atmosphere where everyone is important, despite our differences. These days, our D&I values are even further strengthened to prepare for the next phase: commissioning already approved facilities and finalizing the designs of future projects.”

“To answer the hardest questions in science, we must give every idea a chance to prove itself. The same is true for people—only by including everyone can we discover the best among us.”

“Diversity in our people brings diversity to our work, and when different minds come together, so do their ideas. CERN embraces the immense value of diversity and inclusion, as they enable us to unlock new possibilities and approaches to solving complex problems and driving innovation-both of which are essential for advancing scientific discovery for the benefit of all.”

“Diversity and inclusion are essential for CERN’s future, fostering a culture where innovation thrives through different perspectives and experiences. At CERN, collaboration is at the heart of discovery, and diversity ensures that we approach challenges from every possible angle. Inclusion means that every voice, regardless of background, is valued. This is what drives groundbreaking science. By embracing a truly inclusive environment, CERN can continue to push the boundaries of knowledge and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers worldwide. ”

”The variety of nationalities, personalities and academic backgrounds at CERN is impressive and it makes it a great place to work. After studying and working in different countries I recognize the importance to feel included and to be a part of a collective in the work environment, no matter where you are from or who you are. CERN was the first place I felt so and it helps not only for well-being aspects but also for personal development in different technological domain and curiosity.”

“Diversity and inclusion (DI) are essential for CERN. A workforce from across Europe brings unique perspectives that help solve complex challenges. Different backgrounds mean different ways of thinking, which is technically and socially valuable. The mix of cultures also creates a dynamic and engaging environment—perfect for lively coffee break discussions.”

“Diversity is the heartbeat of an extraordinary workplace like CERN! Bringing together brilliant technicians, engineers, and scientists from every corner of the world—each with unique cultures, perspectives, and expertise—fuels innovation like nothing else. This incredible mix of minds allows us to push the boundaries of technology, unlock the mysteries of the universe, and drive groundbreaking research in multiple fields even in the medicine one.”

“Diversity and inclusion are in the DNA of CERN since its founding. As a newcomer, the diversity of CERN’s population is the first and most striking impression I got and made it an extremely attractive and unique place to work in. Later on, while being part of this population, I could experience first-hand how the integration of motivated individuals with different background and mindset allows the continuous challenging of biases and schemes, which is fundamental for the development of innovative science and technology. It is impossible to separate CERN’s achievements from its unique environment and culture. Since the access to science and technology is expanding, I believe it is fundamental for the lab and coherent with its essence to actively foster this growing diversity. We are facing great scientific and technical challenges; CERN needs the successful inclusion and equal treatment of all those who can contribute.”

“Diversity and inclusion are core values for our organization — and rightly so. CERN’s strength lies in the fact that it brings together thousands of people of different genders, nationalities, sexual orientations, backgrounds, etc. This creates incredible power because, on one hand, it fosters innovation, and on the other, it makes CERN an attractive place to work. In today’s job market — which has changed significantly over the past 20 years — people increasingly value aspects beyond purely technical or financial ones when looking for employment, more so than in the past. That’s why making CERN a welcoming and supportive workplace is key to attracting top talent While much progress has been made in recent years, there is still a long way to go — and making CERN a more diverse and inclusive place must remain a top-level strategic objective, as it is the only way to ensure its long-term future.”

“CERN is a true melting pot of exceptional people from all backgrounds, working together for the advancement in knowledge and technological capability of the human race as a whole. For me, that has made it an incredible place to launch an engineering career, to learn every day from many different people, and to be surrounded by such a vibrant community and environment. CERN’s confidence in the next generation to face the challenges and build the flagship machines of the future is clear. It will require the hard work, creativity and expertise of many people with many different perspectives and ideas. It is a privilege to be a part of it.”

“Au CERN on est dans un environnement incroyable, on peut discuter avec des personnalités et des passionnés qui viennent des quatre coins de la planète, au CERN on peut aussi voir des systèmes uniques au monde, et ceci même à 100m sous terre. Pour moi ces deux choses-ci suffisent pour dire que l’on est bel et bien dans un des laboratoires les plus prestigieux du monde. Une petite note personnelle sur ce que j’aime le plus au CERN : c’est quand je sors de la machine après une intervention, de piquet et tard le soir par exemple, et à ce moment-là, j’ai un sentiment de satisfaction énorme, me dire j’ai la chance de contribuer en direct au fonctionnement du LHC, une machine développée par des gens exceptionnels.”

“I believe that embracing diversity in a research environment allows up to approach problems from a broader perspective and helps us to avoid affinity bias in the way we innovate. Its benefit to CERN cannot be overstated, given the uniqueness and extent of the projects which we are carrying out now and which we foresee to deliver in the future.”