Panel for 9th European Conference on Gender Equality in Higher Education - ABSTRACT

Logo of the ninth Conference on Gender Equality in Higher Rearch

PARIS, 12th-14th September 2016 Panel for the 9th Conference on Gender Equality in Higher Education

The French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the Université Paris Diderot, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle- Paris 3 and the Université Sorbonne Paris Cité (USPC), with strong support from the French Ministry for National Education, Higher Education and Research, are inviting researchers, professors, administrators, policy-makers, practitioners and students to Paris, on 12-14 September 2016, to attend the 9th European Conference on Gender Equality in Higher Education.

For the Conference, the Essen College of Gender Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen will organize a panel on “Integrating of the sex and gender analysis into research content: Ready for Dialogue? Preconditions and Suggestions for Take-off“ together with the European Platform of Women Scientists EPWS.

Organizers:

  • Dr. Maren A. Jochimsen, Essen College of Gender Research, University of Duisburg-Essen (Chair) 
  • Dr. Brigitte Mühlenbruch, European Platform of Women Scientists EPWS 

Date:

Wednesday, 14th September 2016, 09:00 - 10:30am

Abstract:

The mutual intersection and permeation of science and society is one of the declared goals of the European Commission. Responsible research and innovation (RRI) aims to foster the design of inclusive, transdisciplinary and sustainable research and innovation reflecting societal values and responsibly assessing potential implications of publicly funded research and innovation. Numerous programmes of the European Union attempt to shape research priorities and build research capacity to meet identified social and economic needs. The promotion of equal opportunities plays an important part in this context.

Motivation and aim of the panel:

  1. Despite various research policy measures and efforts of different institutional groups, progress on the integration of the gender dimension is not appropriate in pace or disciplinary width to the dimension’s technological and economic as well as social innovation potential. This holds true with respect to the institutionalization as well as the available funding for the gender dimension.
     
  2. Many political recommendations do not clearly distinguish the gender dimension from gender equality measures targeting the individual promotion of women scientists or structural change in research institutions. As a result, the specific conditions and challenges of the integration of the gender dimension in science and research and its contribution to provide the cultural fundament to render the achievements of gender equality measures more sustainable remain un-discussed as topics of research policy.
     
  3. Consequently, the design and application of instruments to integrate the gender dimension in science and research could and need to be more targeted.

Within the framework of the 9th European Conference of Gender Equality in Higher Education (and Research), we plan to address this situation and strengthen existing efforts and enforce their binding implementation by integrating their potential into a common strategic approach and discussion. In doing so, the panel will build upon the findings of the international conference “Ready for Dialogue” in Berlin on 5 November 2015 where conference participants strongly supported the idea of a common strategic dialogue among key stakeholders to promote the integration of the gender dimension in science and research.

The aim of the panel is to continue the thread of discussion started in Berlin and to further explore the preconditions and suggestions for the take-off of a common strategic dialogue. Short inputs of representatives of selected key stakeholders in the field will prepare the discussion by more specifically addressing the following questions: What concrete measures do their respective institutions design and implement to foster the integration of the gender dimension in science and research? Which of the measures implemented in the past worked successfully, which did fail, and which still require extra engagement? How can the existing deficits be dealt with? Which stakeholder in the field could contribute what? In the second part of the panel, the conference participants in the audience will be invited to share their views and suggestions.

Proposed structure of the panel:

1. Welcome/Introduction

2. Inputs

  • Lise Christensen, The Research Council of Norway, Special Advisor, Member of the Helsinki Group on Gender in Research and Innovation, and Member Science Europe Working Group "Gender and Diversity"
  • Prof. Dr. Ineke Klinge, Chair Horizon 2020 Advisory Group on Gender
  • Dr. Katrien Maes, League of European Research Universities (LERU), Chief Policy Officer
  • Maya Widmer, Swiss National Science Foundation, Head of Unit Gender Equality in Research Funding, Member of the Helsinki Group on Gender in Research and Innovation, and Member of the Science Europe Working Group "Gender and Diversity"

3. Commentator

  • Prof. Britta Thomsen, Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Politician and Former Member of European Parliament (2004-2014)

4. Discussion with the audience

More about:

>> The 9th European Conference on Gender Equality in Higher Education

>> Project Website "Ready for Dialogue": German/English