New benchmark report: Advancing Research Careers through Gender Equality and Inclusiveness

Sustainable research careers are one of the key foundations for ensuring high standards of science, research results, knowledge transfer, and innovation. As our new benchmark report concludes, the path to building sustainable and inclusive research careers lies at the intersection of research careers, gender equality, and research assessment, and requires shifting policies in multiple non-discrimination and intersectional directions.

Recent analyses highlight that while the European Research Area (ERA) prioritises research careers, translating these priorities into national policies remains inconsistent. GENDERACTIONplus has identified four groups of countries based on their policy approaches to research careers and gender inclusiveness, ranging from those with comprehensive strategies to those lacking any specific policies.

As the report informs, out of fifteen surveyed countries, only eight address inclusive research careers in some manner. The policies often focus on work-life balance and career progression, with a noticeable difference between southern and northern European countries. The analysis underscores the need for improved social security systems and the elimination of discrimination to support researchers’ career sustainability.

RFOs play a crucial role in promoting inclusive research careers, with progress varying significantly among them. Some RFOs are leading the way with well-established policies, while others are just beginning. Key success factors for RFOs include participation in national and international discussions, availability of gender-disaggregated data, and the presence of dedicated gender equality units.

To foster more inclusive research careers, it is recommended that European-level rules and policies be implemented to counteract national resistance. Ensuring common standards across Europe will facilitate talent circulation and international mobility. Moving beyond gender to address broader diversity dimensions—such as ethnicity, disability, and socioeconomic background—requires tailored strategies based on national contexts.

As a next step, we will engage with stakeholders on the findings related to and potential solutions to inclusive research careers, which will be translated to policy recommendations to feed the implementation of the upcoming ERA policy agenda.