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Two women and a man in the midst of animated discussion in a library: woman in focus in the centre gesturing while other two figures look at her
Two women and a man in the midst of animated discussion in a library: woman in focus in the centre gesturing while other two figures look at her © kali9

Gender and Diversity

Gender equality and diversity are essential components of scientific quality. Science Europe works to promote a research ecosystem where all scholars can realise their potential regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities, ethnic origin, or social background.

Why do gender and diversity matter?

Diversity leads to better research and can be a major resource for scientific excellence. All researchers should be enabled to realise their full potential and rewarded for the quality of their scholarly contributions, independently of their gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disabilities, ethnic origin, or social background. Research organisations have a crucial role to play in addressing gender inequality, not only for the benefit of the science ecosystem, but to contribute to progress in wider society.

What are research organisations doing to address gender and diversity?

To ensure that their research processes are fair, Science Europe’s Member Organisations aim to scrutinise their activities against any form of bias. To that end, they seek to avoid unconscious bias in peer review processes, monitor progress towards gender equality, and improve grant management practices. There is an increased realisation that gender inequality can affect the design and content of research itself. An increasing number of research organisations require researchers to integrate or specify the sex and gender dimensions in the research they fund or perform.

The Global Research Council's Gender Working Group

Science Europe actively collaborates with other relevant initiatives, institutional groups, and stakeholders to further promote gender equality in the research ecosystem. The association currently co-chairs the Global Research Council’s Gender Working Group (GWG) alongside the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) where it promotes gender-sensitive research policies and the integration of the gender and sex dimensions in the content and design of research.

The group has just released its first survey report on gender-disaggregated data, this landmark study provides an opportunity for benchmarking and a better understanding of the needs of different research systems.

As part of its 2021-2025 strategy, the GWG will now focus on several key issues, in particular harassment, integrating gender in research content, and further actions on gender-disaggregated data. Later this year, it aims to publish guidelines on addressing bullying and harassment in research.
06.02.2017

Practical Guide to Improving Gender Equality in Research Organisations

This practical guide makes concrete suggestions on how to implement effective change through a number of recommendations and includes many good practices from Science Europe Member Organisations.

26.05.2021

Gender-Disaggregated Data at the Participating Organisations of the Global Research Council: Results of a global survey

This report marks the first such collection of trends, practices and experiences of Global Research Council (GRC) participating organizations regarding gender-disaggregated data, and presents findings regarding applications, review and funding; the gender dimension in research; and data at the intersection of equality, diversity and inclusion. The survey was administered between September and December 2019.

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