Vice-rector Magnificus and member of the Board of the University of Leiden, Netherlands, Professor and Chair of Women’s and Family Health at the Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands.

Simone Buitendijk PhD, MPH, MD is Vice-rector Magnificus and member of the Board of the University of Leiden and Professor and Chair of Women’s and Family Health at the Leiden University Medical Center. Simone Buitendijk studied Medicine in Utrecht. She is a member of the LERU (League of European Research Universities) Steering Group for the advice paper on Gender in Academia.

Professor Buitendijk spoke about ‘Increasing gender diversity in academic leadership’ in Europe at the Gender Summit 3 North America 2013 (GS3NA). It is clear from a large body of recent studies, which measures can and should be implemented to change the present imbalance. The time for action has arrived and concrete measures that universities can take are available. She presented recommendations from the recent League of European Research Universities (LERU)-report ‘'Women, research and universities: excellence without gender bias" that she co-authored.