Starting on November 1st, Dr. Naomi Bueno de Mesquita will take up the role of professor of Social Justice and Diversity in the Arts at the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK). The Executive Board is delighted to appoint her to succeed Dr. Aminata Cairo, who departed from the AHK earlier this year. With the professorship, Naomi will focus on knowledge development around social justice within the arts and arts education. The research group aims to work closely with both the bachelor’s and master’s programmes at the AHK and the wider cultural field.

With a background in design for public spaces, Naomi brings a wealth of expertise in promoting social justice through design. She has a strong track record in developing methods for engaging diverse communities in public space and public issues, blending design, anthropology, and philosophy with an emphasis on digital technologies.

Since 2022, Naomi serves as professor of Design & Social Justice at the Design Academy Eindhoven, where she leads a research platform exploring the role of design in advancing social justice in transition challenges. She was previously a researcher and lecturer at Design Academy Eindhoven, the Universitat Oberta de Cataluña, and Elisava University School of Design and Engineering in Barcelona.

David van Traa, vice-president of the AHK Executive Board and portfolio holder for research, expresses his enthusiasm about Naomi’s appointment: In many social issues - both within the arts and beyond - social justice plays an increasingly important role. We believe that with the research of the Social Justice and Diversity in the Arts research group, we can actively contribute to a more socially equitable and inclusive sector. Naomi’s expertise and vision make her the perfect candidate to lead this initiative.”

Naomi comments on her appointment: "I am excited to collaborate with the students and staff at AHK to explore how we can contribute to a more equitable society through the arts, architecture, and heritage. The societal challenges we face today are unprecedented in their complexity. It is precisely within this complexity that it becomes crucial to create space for diverse perspectives. The arts are uniquely suited to allow these varied viewpoints to coexist. Furthermore, the arts possess the power to capture and convey the experiences of individuals and communities in unique ways, fostering a deeper level of understanding. It is a great honor to take on this role, and I look forward to exploring the richness of perspectives within AHK."

About the Social Justice and Diversity in the Arts research group
The Social Justice and Diversity in the Arts research group aims to contribute to knowledge development around social justice within artistic practice, education and research, both within the AHK and beyond. For more information, please visit the website of the research group.