News

National updates on gender equality in R&I

The Higher Education (HEA) Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, hosted the first HEA National Equality, Diversity and Inclusion conference on the 9th and 10th of April 2024 in Dublin, Ireland. Approximately 150 colleagues involved in equality, diversity and inclusion in the Irish higher education sector were in attendance to hear from national and international experts across the two days. Speakers and panels discussed advancing gender equality, advancing intersectional approaches to EDI, advancing race equality and ending sexual violence and harassment. The HEA was delighted to have the participation of our GENDERACTIONplus colleagues in sessions across the two days, alongside colleagues from INSPIRE and the OECD, highlighting international perspectives on equality, diversity and inclusion.  Estonian Research Council continued discussions on gender equality issues in R&I with the main national stakeholders, including  the Ministry of Science and Education, Commissioner for Equal Opportunities, Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, Department of...

GENDERACTIONplus gathered for a Mutual Learning Workshop and consortium meeting

The Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities hosted a consortium meeting of the GENDERACTIONplus project and on this occasion, the Spanish capital also became an action spot for a Mutual Learning Workshop on resistance to gender equality for the project’s two Communities of Practice. Policymakers and representatives of research funding organisations took part in the workshop and discussed the various forms of resistance to gender equality they encounter, exchanged information on ways of building competences for reacting to resistance, and shared their practices for self-care in the face of resistance. The consortium meeting of GENDERACTIONplus, held on 13 June in Madrid, discussed the recent updates and upcoming plans of the GENDERACTIONplus project, which is heading into its final stage. “We are grateful that we found a home for our consortium meeting in Madrid,” stated Marcela Linková, project coordinator and Member State Co-Chair of the ERA Forum Subgroup on Inclusive...

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...

GENDERACTIONplus has developed a Template for Ending Gender-Based Violence in Research Funding Organizations

In GENDERACTIONplus, we have developed a template aimed at fostering a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence, including sexual harassment, within research funding organizations across the European Research Area (ERA). This deliverable is deeply rooted in the findings and recommendations of GENDERACTIONplus D3.1 and D3.2. Through continuous engagement with a dynamic Community of Practice of Research Funding Organisations and insights gathered from a mutual learning workshop held in September 2023, we have shaped a comprehensive and practical template. Our approach has been enriched by position papers, policy developments, and tools from the UniSAFE project. Moreover, we have aligned our efforts with the forthcoming zero-tolerance approach code of conduct in the ERA and the ongoing work of the GenderSAFE project, which focuses on policy development and awareness raising. The template is a step-by-step approach for research funding organisations to end gender-based violence in research. The logic and structure of the template combine...

Supporting gender expertise among National Contact Points for better results on inclusive gender analysis

Horizon Europe has set new standards by requiring all Research and Innovation (R&I) proposals to incorporate a gender dimension. This requirement has introduced challenges for researchers and National Contact Points (NCPs), whose expertise and support are critical for the success of project proposals. Our third position paper addresses these challenges for NCPs and recommends specific actions. The recommendations aim to improve the quality and inclusiveness of R&I proposals by equipping NCPs with the necessary tools and knowledge to address gender issues effectively. By fostering an NCP system with robust gender expertise, Horizon Europe can achieve better results, ensuring that more proposals successfully integrate the gender dimension in their research content.

New benchmark report: Integrating the gender dimension into research and innovation

GENDERACTIONplus has conducted a benchmarking report to evaluate existing policies and measures integrating the gender dimension into research and innovation (R&I). The analysis is based on survey responses from 20 Research Funding Organizations (RFOs) and 15 national authorities. The benchmarking report shows that there is a need for clear communication to distinguish gender dimension in R&I from general gender equality policies, as confusion persists among stakeholders. Only 20 % of national authorities have specific policies for integrating sex/gender analysis into R&I content, while 60 % of RFOs have adopted such policies. The most common measure for promoting the gender dimension in R&I content is requiring applicants to specify sex/gender considerations in their proposals. Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of these policies remains largely overlooked by national authorities and RFOs. Promising practices highlighted include comprehensive policies by RFOs such as Vinnova (Sweden), AEI (Spain), and TACR (Czech Republic), as well as...

ERA of Inclusive Gender Equality conference: How we maintained the Momentum in Brussels

In celebration of the International Day of Girls and Women in Science, ERA of Inclusive Gender Equality conference took stage at BOSA, Brussels on 13 February 2024. The event attracted over 60 attendees in person, with a substantial online audience joining remotely. The conference was organised by the Horizon Europe GENDERACTIONplus project under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The conference convened key stakeholders to deliberate on future priorities for inclusive gender equality in the European Research Area (ERA), leveraging insights from GENDERACTIONplus benchmark studies and a position paper drafted to inform the debates about further actions and measures. The position paper identifies current challenges, states our ultimate goals for advancing inclusive gender equality in ERA, and provides a framework for shaping future policies. It focuses on issues of intersectionality and inclusiveness, gender-based violence in research and innovation, the integration of inclusive gender dimension...

Keeping the Momentum. ERA of Inclusive Gender Equality conference is coming

ERA of Inclusive Gender Equality Keeping the Momentum, Addressing Challenges through Joint Action The conference is organised by Horizon Europe GENDERACTIONplus project under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU  Date: 13 February 2024 from 9:00 am CET to 5:00 pm CETVenue: BOSA, WTCIII building, 30 rue Simon Bolivar, 1000 Brussels, Belgium The conference will be streamed for online attendance.  Please follow this link in case you are attending the conference online. The conference will bring together relevant stakeholders to discuss the future priorities for inclusive gender equality in the European Research Area. This will be done against the backdrop of the results of GENDERACTIONplus benchmark studies on gender equality policy implementation in European research, which have identified ongoing challenges and gaps and highlighted advances achieved in recent years. The debates will highlight the need for advancing intersectional and inclusive approaches to gender equality policy,...

GENDERACTIONplus consultation gathers stakeholder insights across Europe on national Gender Equality Plan monitoring guidelines

The EU-funded GENDERACTIONplus project recently hosted its second stakeholder engagement event on 29 November 2023 to gather input and feedback on draft guidelines for establishing Gender Equality Plan (GEP) monitoring systems at the national level. Representatives of national authorities from 14 European countries actively participated in the online consultation, sharing valuable insights, needs and challenges. Developed by partners within the GENDERACTIONplus project, the guidelines aim to provide concrete guidance on how to set up an effective monitoring system at the national authority level to monitor GEP implementation. Incorporating multiple levels of proposed monitoring, they are designed to meet the needs of both Member States and Associated Countries at different stages of national gender equality policy implementation, where GEPs are a mandatory state requirement as well as where they are not. Following an introduction to the GENDERACTIONplus project and draft guidelines by Dr Jennie Rothwell, Senior Manager of the Centre of...

Monitoring ERA Action 5 on inclusive gender equality implementation

A total of 18 Member States have committed to ERA Action 5, focusing on gender equality and inclusiveness: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. While the description of what is expected from those MS is more detailed than in the previous ERA period, there is no requirement to formulate a national action plan to implement those actions. As a consequence, little is known about the MS priorities, objectives and planned or implemented measures. This information is crucial not only for the development of a shared understanding of gender equality concepts and for defining collective goals but also for mutual learning based on the exchange of good practices. For this reason, the first GENDERACTIONplus report on monitoring the implementation of ERA GE policies. It first presents the development of gender equality objectives in the ERA, including a...

Learn more about GENDERACTIONplus activities and new developments and highlights about gender equality policies in R&I in the EU. The newsletter is published twice a year.