INCLUSIVENESS & DIVERSITY

Vision
Diversity is central to DSEA’s identity as a public institution that values pluralism, equality, and open-mindedness. The Department recognizes that diversity — in gender, culture, background, and thought — enriches learning, research, and collaboration, and is essential for achieving social justice and organizational innovation.
Governance
DSEA systematically monitors diversity in recruitment, leadership, and committee composition to ensure transparent and equitable representation. DSEA has introduced measures to improve work–life balance for faculty members and the administrative staff, training activities on discrimination and bias, and awareness campaigns addressing equity, inclusion, and non-violence. Future actions will focus on integrating diversity metrics into the Department’s Quality Assurance system and promoting events that strengthen awareness and dialogue on equity, inclusion, and cultural interaction.

Governance
DSEA systematically monitors diversity in recruitment, leadership, and committee composition to ensure transparent and equitable representation. DSEA has introduced measures to improve work–life balance for faculty members and the administrative staff, training activities on discrimination and bias, and awareness campaigns addressing equity, inclusion, and non-violence. Future actions will focus on integrating diversity metrics into the Department’s Quality Assurance system and promoting events that strengthen awareness and dialogue on equity, inclusion, and cultural interaction.

Education
DSEA integrates diversity-related perspectives across its educational offer. Courses increasingly address topics such as inclusive leadership, discrimination in the labor market, and diversity management through dedicated modules, case studies, and experiential learning. The Department promotes internationalization and accessibility by offering multilingual programs and fostering inclusive learning environments. Teaching methods, assessment formats, and learning materials are adapted to support students with diverse abilities and learning needs. Faculty members are encouraged to obtain the Open Badge in Equity and Inclusion to strengthen inclusive teaching practices. Moreover, DSEA has launched a survey aimed at assessing disparities in educational experiences and monitoring perceptions of discrimination across its programs, in order to inform evidence-based improvement initiatives. Future actions to improve students’ quality of life will be guided by the results of this assessment.

Research
DSEA’s research activity contributes to understanding and addressing issues related to inequality, gender gaps, labor inclusion, migration, discrimination, and intergenerational divides. The Department’s research seminar series seeks to foster pluralism and inclusiveness by ensuring balanced representation in terms of gender, nationality, and research perspectives among invited speakers. DSEA aims to strengthen its research ecosystem on diversity and inclusion by highlighting and promoting seminars specifically dedicated to diversity economics and inclusive organizational practices. In addition, DSEA encourages and supports research grant applications—at both national and EU levels—on topics related to diversity, equality, and social justice.

Community Engagement
DSEA is committed to promoting equal opportunities and fostering intercultural dialogue. Past initiatives include events raising awareness of gender-based violence and discrimination, such as the Red Chair in the Classroom campaign for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The Department has also recently welcomed researchers from Gaza (Palestine) through the Unipd Scholars at Risk program, which offers research opportunities to scholars forced to leave their home countries due to conflict or restrictions on academic freedom. Looking ahead, DSEA aims to strengthen collaboration with schools to promote diverse educational pathways and enhance social mobility. These initiatives seek to support students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in making informed university choices and improving their future prospects.

  ENVIRONMENT

Vision
Environmental responsibility is integral to DSEA’s contribution to sustainable development. The Department promotes environmental awareness and climate responsibility as part of its duty to future generations and its role within a university committed to ecological transition.

Governance
Environmental sustainability is embedded in DSEA’s strategic plan. Ongoing efforts focus on reducing energy consumption, improving waste management, and encouraging sustainable mobility. Recent initiatives include the completion of energy-efficiency projects, as well as the environmentally compliant disposal of goods in 2023, in accordance with the UNIPD Environmental and Safety Planning Service. Looking ahead, DSEA will continue to strengthen its environmental governance by implementing the new UNIPD Waste Reduction Program and monitoring its carbon footprint. Particular attention will also be devoted to enhancing the wellbeing of the DSEA community through improved management of shared spaces, higher-quality learning and working environments, and further reductions in energy consumption.

Education
Environmental sustainability is integrated across DSEA’s programs through courses such as, for example, in environmental economics, sustainable management, and corporate sustainability reporting. The Master’s Degree in Applied Economics includes a dedicated Environmental Economics curriculum. All syllabi are required to flag content related to the SDGs and DSEA is enhancing its reporting system to better monitor sustainability-related teaching activities. Students engage with external speakers from academia, business, and public institutions to connect classroom learning with real-world environmental challenges. A Sustainability Badge will be introduced to recognize students’ and staff participation in sustainability projects and initiatives.

Research
Research on environmental policy, the circular economy, and sustainable green finance represents a growing area of strength for DSEA. The Department has been recognized as a Department of Excellence (2024–2027) for its project “Measurement and Valuation of Actions and Strategy for Sustainability – MIVASS”, which promotes scientific initiatives that extend beyond academia to design and evaluate environmental, social, and fiscal sustainability strategies. DSEA is also the promoter of Spoke 6 within the GRINS Foundation project, fostering interdisciplinary research to reduce CO₂ emissions and develop open-source indicators to support stakeholders in achieving sustainability targets. Looking ahead, DSEA aims to further strengthen its national and international standing in sustainability research by increasing participation in competitive projects and enhancing the dissemination and societal impact of its findings.

Community Engagement
DSEA promotes sustainability awareness through initiatives that connect education, art, and community engagement. A recent project involved high school students in creating a mural at the Department’s main building, illustrating the link between art and sustainability while enhancing the quality of shared spaces and fostering collaboration between the Department and students. The Department supports student associations in organizing environmental campaigns and encourages staff participation in university-wide sustainability programs. Going forward, DSEA aims to strengthen collaboration with local authorities and schools to expand participation in environmental sustainability initiatives.

  ETHICS

Vision
Ethics constitutes the backbone of DSEA’s identity and credibility. The Department upholds high ethical standards in academic integrity, governance, and relationships with society. Ethical behavior is essential for building trust, ensuring fairness, and promoting responsible leadership.

Governance
DSEA upholds the University of Padua’s Code of Ethics, ensuring transparency, integrity, and accountability in all decision-making processes. A survey on organizational climate and equity was introduced to assess fairness, ethical conduct, and well-being among faculty and staff. The Department fosters professional growth through mentorship and development programs for both junior and senior faculty. In 2024, DSEA joined the European Network for Academic Integrity, strengthening its commitment to ethical awareness and responsible academic practices. Looking ahead, the Department plans to endorse the UN PRME Principles. It also seeks to either and establish an Ethics Committee, or contribute to the establishment of a university wide Ethics Committee, to oversee research integrity and promote a culture of ethical responsibility.

Education
Ethical reflection is systematically integrated into DSEA’s curricula. Courses in business ethics, behavioral economics, and corporate governance train students to identify and manage ethical dilemmas in professional and organizational contexts. A new course, Ethics in Finance, has been introduced through a partnership with Banca Etica, which also funds research projects on ethical finance. This collaboration strengthens DSEA’s expertise in responsible finance and expands ethical education at both undergraduate and master’s levels. DSEA also promotes integrity in learning through the development of honor codes that address the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Future plans include expanding ethics-related workshops, including on the ethical of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and embedding ethical reasoning modules across programs.

Research
Research integrity at DSEA is upheld through strict adherence to ethical standards, data transparency, and rigorous peer review. Faculty actively engage in discussions on research ethics, data privacy, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. DSEA is the first Department of Economics and Management in Italy to participate in Replication Games — open to faculty, PhD, and master’s students — promoted by the Institute for Replication, a non-profit organization fostering best practices in ethical and reproducible research in the social sciences. Looking ahead, DSEA aims to advance frontier initiatives on algoethics and the intersection between philosophical ethics and empirical research, promote open-access platforms, and align with the highest international standards for research transparency and replication.

Community Engagement
DSEA promotes ethical awareness beyond academia through collaborations with local and national institutions. Past initiatives have included public seminars on corruption prevention, corporate responsibility, and ethical finance. The Department plans to establish an “Ethics in Practice Forum” to bring together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners for dialogue and exchange on ethical challenges in economics and management. DSEA also leverages digital and social media outreach to disseminate ethical practices and engage wider audiences.

  CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

DSEA’s ERS Policy Statement represents a comprehensive and evolving commitment to Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability. The three ERS pillars — Inclusiveness & Diversity, Environment, and Ethics — guide both strategic priorities and operational practices across the Department.

A monitoring and evaluation system, coordinated by the Departmental ERS Committee, tracks progress using clearly defined and measurable indicators, including diversity metrics, environmental performance, and participation in integrity and ethics training activities. Regular self-assessment and benchmarking against EQUIS standards ensure continuous improvement and accountability. In addition, IDEE Workshops dedicated to Inclusiveness & Diversity, Environment, and Ethics will be regularly organized, engaging faculty members and students alongside external experts and relevant stakeholders.
Through this policy, DSEA reaffirms its mission to connect with society beyond academia, cultivating responsible leadership, and advancing sustainable development.