Horizon Europe Sex & Gender
analysis in Research
Capitolina Díaz
Professor of Sociology –University of Valencia
Sex/Gender Analysis in Horizon Europe
• H.E. is the most advanced framework program, until now, for the inclusion of sex/gender análisis in research.
• Adresses sex/gender perspective in:
• The content of the research
• The composition of research teams
• The composition of evaluators, advisers, managers, etc.
• The culture of research institutions
• The activity of female researchers in business
• The role of equality in excellence.
• …..
The Russian military aggression against Ukraine is an act of war and constitutes a violation of international law, undermining European and world security and stability.
…we have decided not to participate in further
cooperation projects with Russian entities. Therefore, I have decided to suspend the grant agreement
preparations for four Horizon Europe projects involving five Russian research organizations
Gender Equality as a Political Principle
Horizon Europe establishes Gender Equality as a cross-cutting principle and aspires to eliminate gender inequality and its intersection with
other socio-economic inequalities through R&I systems, including and addressing unconscious biases and systemic structural barriers.
It is in line with the policy of the ERA and the Equality Union.
It is in line with the UN MDGs.
Gender dimension in R&I, a requirement by default
The integration of the gender dimension in the R&I content is
mandatory, unless it is explicitly mentioned in the description of the topic of the call.
Addressing the gender dimension in research and innovation implies taking sex and gender into account throughout the research and
innovation process.
Challenges for Horizon Europe
[…]we need better implementation of the EU gender equality goals in research and innovation organizations across the EU, in particular:
• More women participating in R&I programs.
• Better integration of the gender dimension in the content of R&I projects.
• More participation of the countries in the process of enlarging the EU in actions dedicated to gender equality in R&I organisations.
• Expand gender equality policies in R&I in intersection with other possible causes of discrimination such as ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation.
Gender Equality an elegibility criterion
• The integration of the gender dimension in the R&I content (eg S/G analysis) is a requirement throughout the program (see Gendered Innovations 2).
• A new eligibility criterion to access HE funding: As of 2022, public bodies, research organizations and Higher Education establishments will be required to have an active Gender Equality Plan (PIG). This will ensure the sustainability of structural change (need to show proof of the PIG’s implementation).
Gender dimensión in content and teams
• Integration of the gender dimensión into research and innovation content becomes a requirement by default.
• Gender balance in project research teams will be strongly encouraged and will be taken into account in the gender prioritization of proposals.
• Reserchers have the possibility to self-identify according to three gender categories: woman, man, or non-binary.
.
Specific funding
• Specific funding will be available for actions that support the
development of inclusive equality plans in R&I organizations in the Member States and associated countries within the Program
“Broadening the participation and strengthening of the European Research Area (ERA)”.
• The specific funding allocated to intersectional gender research is located in Pillar II, Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society.
FLAGSHIP MEASURES
Activities promoting gender equality in the European Research Council (EIC) include:
• The objective of reaching 40% of science-tech companies led by women who will be invited to present their projects.
• To reach 50% women among the members of the advisory structures.
• Continuation of the award for innovative women.
• An initiative dedicated to supporting deep-tech start-ups led by women.
.
Gender Balance tiebreaker and excellence criteria
• Out of 5 elements for the tiebreaker of projects with the same score, one is Gender Balance (of the participating members included in the proposal).
• One of the two Excellence criteria is the inclusion of Gender Analysis in the R&I content. (see next)
Part B Excellence (methodology)
Equality Plans Mandatory Requirements for Eligibility
PUBLICATION
A formal document posted on the
institution's website and signed by the senior manager.
DEDICATED RESOURCES
A commitment of resources and expertise in gender equality to implement the plan.
DATA COLLECTION AND MONITORING
Data on staff and students
disaggregated by sex and annual reports based on indicators.
TRAINING
Sensitization/training on gender equality and unconscious gender bias for staff and decision makers.
Examples of projects fully completed
or nearing completion :
WATERLOO CHARTER FOR GENDER INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY IN PHYSICS
People of all genders are equally good in doing excellent science and deserve equal opportunity.
Diversity contributes to excellence in science so that the full
participation of people of all genders will enhance excellence in the field of physics.
Both thought and action are necessary to ensure equal participation for all.
The attainment of equal opportunity should be measured by outcomes.
Thus, as long as the percentage of women in the next level of advancement does not equal the percentage in the pool, equal opportunity cannot be considered to exist.
Long-term change requires periodic evaluation of progress and
consequent action to address areas where improvement is necessary.
