Abstract

In the framework of MINDtheGEPs Horizon2020 project (2021 – 2025) seven various European research institutions implemented Gender Equality Plans aiming to increase women’s participation in the research and innovation sector. This project generated several successful practices and activities which embedded in the institutions’ structure brought about lasting changes or reframed the way of thinking about women’s career prospects, improvement of gender balance in decision-making bodies in research organisations or including gender dimensions in relevant research content.
We present selected integrated practices designed in the project’s partners GEPs which were effective in terms of the progress of institutional change. The good practices shown had sustainable outcomes as they covered: the inclusion of gender in the organisation's monitoring system (bodies and tools that collect and manage data and information on gender inequality); promoting an ever-greater integration of gender in scientific excellence, recognising and overcoming a male-dominated model of science; mainstreaming the gender dimension in the provision of services to support women in order to make science a friendly environment; establishing binding procedures to make gender equality measures permanent.
We also acknowledge the fact that implementation of a GEP does not come alone but it must always be accompanied by ongoing negotiations at all levels, awareness-raising and training activities, continuous evaluation of progress and reflection on the obstacles and changes needed to achieve the GEP. It is important to ensure that the GEP is part of, or co-ordinated with, the organisation's key policies, in particular gender policy and all policies relating to equality issues.
We present chosen good practices implemented by selected project’s partners with a close attention to their institutional context which in comparison with others show various attitudes and ways of acting leading to positive outcomes and sustainable change.
Take away message 1: integrated practices that have been shown work well to produce good results in terms of gender mainstreaming in the organisation, which can be proposed as a reference point for possible replication in other research organisations (adapted to the specific context if necessary).
Take away message 2: Good practice implementation must be accompanied by contextual analysis and self-reflection based on in-depth knowledge of the context in which one operates including mechanisms and procedures, objectives, possible impacts, risk and actors involved in the activities.