WHY should we care about gender equality in academia?

Gender equality increases the excellence of research and innovation (R&I) by:

• creating better working environments that enable good quality research and learning and help maximise the potential and talents of all staff and students;
• attracting and retaining talent by ensuring that all staff can be confident that their abilities will be valued and recognised fairly and appropriately;
• improving the quality and impact of research and innovation by helping to ensure it is reflective of and relevant to the whole of society.

Gender equality is a fundamental value of the European Union and is one of the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). Whilst there has been progress toward gender equality in R&I in Europe through a range of EU, national and institutional policies and measures, there is still much work to be done. She Figures publications show the situation with progress over time.

HOW gender equality in academia could be achieved?

1. Work-life balance, promoting gender equality through the sustainable transformation of organisational culture.
2. Gender balance in leadership and decision-making, increasing the number and share of women in leadership and decision-making positions.
3. Gender equality in recruitment and career progression, critically reviewing selection procedures and remedying any biases can ensure that women and men get equal chances to develop and advance their careers.
4. Measures against gender-based violence, ensuring clear institutional policies and establishing a culture of zero tolerance toward sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence.
5. Integration of the gender dimension into research and teaching content, supporting the capacity provided for researchers to develop methodologies that incorporate sex and gender analysis.

DISCOVER how UNIMC promotes gender equality

USEFUL RESOURCES

• The Horizon Europe Guidance on Gender Equality Plans (GEPs)
• Gender Equality in Academia and Research (GEAR) tool that collects existing materials and resources that support gender equality in research and innovation (R&I), and includes further advice, case studies and resources for developing a GEP. The tool was co-developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Research and Innovation.
• European Commission’s Gender Equality in Research and Innovation policy web page
• EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025
• Slides "Training for the organisations in Italy regarding the Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) eligibility criterion of Horizon Europe"