On 23rd November, Horizon 2020 projects CALIPER and LeTSGEPs held their final conference on Gender Equality Plans and gender budgeting in research.
About the conference
As part of their commitment to advancing inclusive gender equality in research and innovation (R&I), CALIPER and LeTSGEPs organised the Final Conference at Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus du Solbosch, on 23rd November, 2023.
The hybrid event commenced with a warm welcome by Michel Verstraeten, Vice-Rector in charge of Diversity and Gender Policy at Université Libre de Bruxelles. Kyriaki Karydou, CALIPER Coordinator, and Tindara Addabbo, LeTSGEPs Scientific Coordinator, outlined the aims and objectives.
The first part of the conference, moderated by Kyriaki Karydou and Tindara Addabbo, delved into the overarching theme of “Setting the Scene.” The agenda included insightful discussions on the EU landscape of gender equality policies in research and innovation ecosystems, drawing attention to the pivotal role of Gender Equality Plans (GEPs). This session talked about real-life examples and difficulties faced when putting in place measures to promote fair treatment between genders. CALIPER and LeTSGEPs were used as specific examples.
The conference launched the CALIPER Charter of Gender+ Inclusive R&I Ecosystems, demonstrating a commitment to reaching new stakeholders and networks across Europe. Participants received copies of the LeTSGEPs Handbook, which provides comprehensive guidelines for implementing GEPs and Gender Budgeting.
The second part of the conference, “Finding Solutions to Challenges,” featured engaging panel discussions, moderated by Jennifer Dahmen-Adkins and Maria Sangiuliano. Distinguished speakers shared their expertise on achieving structural and sustainable change in research organisations and society, ensuring diverse voices are heard, and creating state-of-the-art of Gender Budgeting and GEPs.
Moderated by Kyriaki Karydou and Anna Maria Sansoni, the conference concluded with a forward-looking perspective . Highlights included the commitment to action embodied in the CALIPER Charter, support for Research Performing Organisations through the LeTSGEPs Handbook, and insights into the ongoing and future work of the INSPIRE Centre of Excellence.
The final session of the conference, “Be Inspired! Women from Academia Tell Their Stories,” saw Moniek Tromp, Chair of the Young Academy of Europe (YAE), presenting highlights from the CALIPER Role Model interview series. This segment featured interviews with accomplished women in STEM, shedding light on their experiences and insights. The video showcased snippets of these interviews, providing a glimpse into these women’s journeys, challenges, and successes in traditionally male-dominated fields. Through this initiative, CALIPER aims inspire individuals at various stages of their academic and professional paths.
The event aimed to leave a lasting impact on the pursuit of long-term, inclusive, and sustainable institutional change in the realm of gender equality in research and innovation.
Watch the video
Watch the conference
Click here to visit the playlist of the event and watch the sessions.
About the organisers
CALIPER and LeTSGEPs, funded by the H2020 programme*, aim to achieve real structural change, through the development and implementation of GEPs in diverse research and higher education institutions.
CALIPER’s unique contribution to change management has been to engage with wider stakeholders in the process (business, the public sector, civil society and policymakers), through the creation of Research and Innovation Hubs. Gender budgeting is a key element in the work of LeTSGEPs, contributing to the effectiveness and sustainability of GEPs by identifying the resources and the impact of actions in terms of gender equality.
Both CALIPER and LeTSGEPs have strived to open up gender equality with other areas of potential discrimination (ethnicity, age, class, gender identity, etc.). A commitment to an intersectional approach to gender equality is common to the two projects. This is even more important when inclusiveness is being undermined by anti-gender policies in several countries.
*The projects have received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program under Grant Agreement n° 873134 (CALIPER) and n° 873072 (LeTSGEPS)
Updated 30th November 2023. For further information please contact AECardiffHub@cardiff.ac.uk
