When passions become a profession: interview with Silvia Barattieri

I graduated in History in 2004 and obtained a PhD in 2010 in the same field. 

During the years of my doctorate, I began to take my first steps in the world of communication: first within a journalistic editorial office, and then as a press officer for the Municipality of Milan. In 2012, while I was looking for a new professional direction, I became aware of an open position at the Department of Mechanics of the Politecnico di Milano. Thus began my career at the University dealing with the management of the PhD, which in those years was beginning to record significant growth.

Since my university days, I have always had a strong interest in gender equality, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues. In 2018, I took the opportunity to approach these issues in a concrete way: at that time the Single Guarantee Committee - the body that promotes equal opportunities and protects the well-being of those who work in the University - was about to end its mandate. I therefore decided to run and, after an intense and participatory electoral campaign, I was elected vice president: I remember that period as a precious experience, which allowed me to reconcile work with my greatest passions.

The real turning point came in 2019, with the birth of the University's Equal Opportunities Unit, within the Campus Life Area. When the internal selection to assign the coordination of the new Service opened, I immediately thought: "This is my chance" – and so it was. After winning the selection, I began to concretely imagine what it meant to manage, but also to build a service from scratch. We have redefined, together with political governance and in particular with the then Vice-Rector, Prof. Sciuto, and the Area Manager, the strategic guidelines on equal opportunities, collecting and systematizing the initiatives already active in the University – above all POP – Polytechnic Equal Opportunities – alongside them with new projects and areas of intervention. 

For us, promoting equal opportunities means first and foremost ensuring that every person within our community feels respected, welcomed and valued for their uniqueness. Our commitment translates into concrete initiatives, designed to break down deep-rooted stereotypes and combat all forms of discrimination, with particular attention to the overall well-being of people, both physically and psychologically. The main areas we work on include gender equality, parenting support and work-life balance, LGBTQI+ rights, disabilities and neuro-divergences, multiculturalism and psychological support.

I started training again and I listened. I already had a solid foundation on the issues of gender equality and diversity, but there were areas such as disability, and Specific Learning Disorders that I did not yet know in depth. The University has supported me a lot in this path, giving me the opportunity to deepen both specialized content and transversal skills. But the real school was the experience in the field: I learned to mediate, to build relationships with different interlocutors, to manage a budget and, above all, to take responsibility for growing the people who work with me.

Yes, in 2023 I was also entrusted with the interim leadership of the Innovation and Social Responsibility Service, which deals with projects that take teaching and research outside the boundaries of the University, with the aim of involving territories and realities often on the margins of society. Also, in this case I had to get involved on new themes and relationships, in very different contexts

I am in the luckiest condition in which a person can find himself personally and professionally speaking: by combining the professional dimension with my passions, I fill my work and my life with meaning. It satisfies me a lot to know that I can contribute, even in a small way, to creating a more conscious and respectful environment. 

When I entered in Polytechnic, I did not imagine that I would have embarked on such a significant career, especially in this field. It was a path born a little by luck, a little by audacity and a great desire to grow.

I have never been afraid of the new, on the contrary, challenges have always been a push for me. But I must admit that the beginning was anything but simple. I was appointed Head of Service in March 2020, just when the pandemic was changing everything. It was a moment of great joy, but also of deep uncertainty: I found myself managing the handover and building a new service completely remotely, and I do not deny that I went through some moments of discouragement. 

Yes, there is no shortage of obstacles, and one of the main ones is the cultural one. Rather than real resistance, I often find myself faced with a still superficial knowledge of certain issues, which can easily lead to disinterest or underestimation. An example? The use of the feminine for professions — such as "engineer" or "architect" — which still arouses reactions, even involuntary, of surprise or rejection. In an international socio-political context in which the focus on inclusion policies, especially on gender and LGBTQI+ rights, but also in areas such as disability and multiculturalism, seems to be weakening, this challenge is becoming even more complex. Despite this, the Politecnico continues to stand out as a point of reference, maintaining equal opportunities and inclusion as pillars of its strategic plan.

If I think back to five years ago, I really think we have done a great job: awareness within the academic community on DEI issues has grown considerably, and with it the recognition of our work by the University has also increased. It's an achievement I'm really proud of. This is also thanks to the context in which we work: an environment open to dialogue, where there is space for listening, comparing and experimenting with new ideas. As a leader, I try every day to recreate this same climate within my Service.

For me it means putting people and their well-being at the center, creating an environment in which everyone can feel valued and supported in their growth path. 

I am committed to cultivating relationships based on trust, communicating with clarity and respect, and ensuring that each person feels fully involved in the project, while maintaining high standards of quality in our work. tag. I strongly believe in the power of training as a tool for enhancement, and I always try to offer concrete opportunities to grow the skills of those who work with me.

Looking to the future, I would like to see more and more men involved in these issues. Today our Service is almost entirely female, and I believe it is important to build a more gender-balanced team. It would be a concrete sign of change and an important step to help overcome the segregation of some professional fields, still too often divided between men and women.

My advice is not to be afraid to get involved. Opportunities do not knock on the door by themselves, you need to step forward, demonstrating commitment, motivation and solid preparation. With time, competence and perseverance will be recognized.