The Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) is hosting an interactive exhibition about menopause in the week of 6 October and the audience is encouraged to contribute to it. Delta asked IDE dean Caspar Chorus why he took this particular initiative. “Let’s not put the burden solely on women.”
(Image: Feminist Design Collective)
What was the inspiration for this exhibition?
“I have always been interested in the menopause as part of my colleagues’ career path. When I encountered the exhibition Let’s Talk Menopause during last year’s Dutch Design Week, the experience was inspiring.
In particular, the Collecting Experiences wall, on which women could share their experiences, provided an in-depth image of what menopause can mean for a woman’s personal and work life. Symptoms vary from insomnia and hot flushes to occasionally serious mental problems like depression. And it can persist for many years.
‘I consider it clear that the menopause should be part of the R&D’
I started talking to Renee Noortman, one of the designers of the exhibition. Our talk resulted in a temporary exhibition of the Collecting Experiences wall in our central hall.”
People can add their personal experiences on post-its to the wall. Why is that needed?
“Women in science often become a professor around the age of 45, and subsequently often department head or dean. That is exactly the time that women experience significant hormonal changes. But that is not visible to the outside world. Few people talk about it. At the Dutch Design Week I noticed that the exhibition sparked conversations. I feel as a male manager that there should be room for that.”
Why men in particular?
“Women are greatly in the minority at TU Delft. That is already embarrassing enough, making it critically important that men take the initiative and create an environment in which everyone feels welcome and seen. That is much easier for them. We must not put the burden solely on women.
The Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering has a special responsibility for this aspect as our gender balance is relatively good. And we are a community that can address and design topics with creativity and make uncomfortable discussions easier.”
What is uncomfortable about discussing the menopause?
“It’s because it involves physical symptoms, through the connection with hormones and sexuality. But that is not a reason for not talking about it. The exhibition can shake things up and get men thinking.”
What else needs to be done?
“I consider it clear that the menopause should be part of the R&D (the result and development cycle, Ed.). If this concerned men who had to deal with it, then it would have top priority.
We are now focussing on menopause, but equally important topics are social security for women or safety on the streets. There is still much to be done at TU Delft.”
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion week
The Collecting Experiences wall will be on display for a week starting from October 6 in the hall of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. Everyone is welcome to add post-its or come and read them. The wall forms part of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion week. You can find the week’s programme here.
Do you have a question or comment about this article?
s.m.bonger@tudelft.nl
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