Human Rights, Inclusion, LGBTQ+ Perspectives, and AI at Equality Days

The annual Equality Days, held 9–12 February across universities in Iceland, focus on human rights, inclusion, diversity, and the social implications of new technologies. The program explores topics such as the current challenges facing human rights, the relationship between artificial intelligence and equality, inclusion of diverse student groups in universities, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ students. More than 30 events will take place, including lectures, panel discussions, artistic performances, and workshops. Events are offered in Icelandic and English, with emphasis on accessibility both on-site and online.

Equality Days, now in their 18th year, aim to create dialogue on equality-related issues by combining current social developments with new academic research. Topics include gender and feminism, LGBTQ+ perspectives, racism and origin-based discrimination, disability and universal design, and issues of prejudice and privilege. Additional sessions address stereotypes in the academic community, social inequality, Icelandic as a second language, representation in different academic fields, and the societal role of creative industries.

The following events will take place at the University of Akureyri during the week:

• Monday, 9 February: Does it always have to be a big deal? – The reality of LGBTQ+ students in Icelandic school communities. ERGI – The Queer Student Association in North Iceland – together with representatives of the LGBTQ+ student groups at VMA and MA, will host a panel discussion focusing on the experiences, challenges, and barriers faced by LGBTQ+ students within school communities and the education system. The event will take place both on-site and via livestream from 16:30–17:30 in M101. Participants are encouraged to join the discussion. Questions are welcome in both Icelandic and English.
• Wednesday, 11 February: The Power of Sociology: Insights into an Unequal World. Guðmundur Oddsson, Professor of Sociology, will discuss the book The Power of Sociology: Grasping Our Unequal World, written by him together with Jenny M. Stuber and James M. Thomas, and published by SAGE in January. The talk will provide an overview of the book’s content and highlight various forms of inequality and power imbalance. The event will take place both on-site and via livestream from 11:00–12:00 in M101.
• Thursday, 12 February: Equality Waffles. The Equality Committee invites staff and students to a waffle gathering in Miðborg at the University of Akureyri between 09:15 and 10:00. At the event, the committee will also present its annual equality awards.
• Thursday, 12 February: The seminar “What is an inclusive university environment?” The seminar will take place in M101 and via livestream from 10:00 to 11:30. Presenters include; Sigurður Kristinsson, Professor of Philosophy; Sigríður Guðmundsdóttir, Program Manager for Studies for People with Diverse Support Needs; Karen Alda Mikaelsdóttir, student; Katrín Elva Ásgeirsdóttir, student; Ley Fraser, representative of ERGI – the Queer Student Association in North Iceland and Lara Wilhelmine Hoffmann, postdoctoral researcher and specialist. Presentations will be delivered in both Icelandic and English. A panel discussion will follow the talks. The session will be chaired by Katla Ósk Káradóttir, student representative on the Equality Committee of the University of Akureyri.
• Friday, 13 February: Increasing the number of men in nursing studies: The status of the situation. A podcast hosted by Dr. Eydís Kristín Sveinbjarnardóttir, Professor at the University of Iceland, and Dr. Gísli Kort Kristófersson, Professor at the University of Akureyri. In the podcast, Eydís and Gísli discuss several projects they have participated in that aim to increase the number of men in nursing and what can be learned from their findings. The podcast will be released at 12:00 and will be available on the Equality Days YouTube channel.

The following events are organised in collaboration with other universities:

• Monday, 9 February: Can the societal impact of the creative industries be measured? A panel discussion on the shaping influence of the creative industries.
  Participants include Hlynur Jónasson, project manager of Kúnstpása; Lara Hoffmann, postdoctoral researcher; and Martyna Karolina Daniel, accessibility and community engagement manager at Borgarbókasafnið. The event will take place in person on 5 February from 08:30–10:00 on the 3rd floor of Bjargargata 1, 102 Reykjavík, in the CCP offices. A recording of the event will be published on 9 February at 15:00 and will be available on the Equality Days website and YouTube channel.
• Tuesday, 10 February: AI, smart devices and sexual autonomy. A podcast hosted by Dr. Gréta Bergrún Jóhannesdóttir from Bifröst University, who speaks with two guests: Magnús Smári Smárason, an AI project manager at the University of Akureyri, and Bergrós Ásta Guðmundsdóttir, a student at MA and an athlete competing at a senior level in handball. Together, they discuss societal changes driven by the rapid development of AI, including how these technologies may shape norms, behaviours, communication, and decision making in modern life. The podcast will be released at 10:00 and made available on the Equality Days YouTube channel. This episode is a collaborative project between the University of Akureyri and Bifröst University.

More information, as well as recordings and podcasts from previous years, is available at jafnrettisdagar.is.