28. October 2011 12:12
Shaping a New Culture of Research & Innovation in Europe: Report Redefines Gender Issues in Science and Innovation
genSET publishes the results of public consultation on the Future of Gender & Innovation in Europe
Public consultation to be discussed during European Gender Summit on 8-9 November 2001, in Brussels at the SQUARE - Brussels Meeting Centre
genSET - Gender in Science and its partners today launched a report on the results of a public consultation which invited all European innovation stakeholders to give their views on the correlation between gender and innovation.
The consultation complements the EC Green Paper "From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding”. It expands on the question of strengthening women’s role to contribute to a better understanding of how Europe can enhance its research and innovation systems by addressing gender issues. The consultation contains 14 questions focusing on the three key dimensions of this debate: (1) Research cultures and scientific quality, (2) Innovation cultures and creativity and (3) Structural change and social responsibility.
During the one month consultation period, over 300 responses were received. Across all the contributions the key findings include:
• Identifying gender equality roles and responsibilities for institutional leader is not at all obvious at present.
• There is strong support for a more multi- and inter-disciplinary approach to mainstreaming gender – with gender experts working along with the scientists in creating research that is better equipped to identify and capitalize on gender sensitive analysis of problems.
• There are strong calls for additional policy intervention at the highest EU-level and for EC leadership to carry this policy momentum to implementation at national and institutional levels – across all relevant areas of scientific endeavour.
• There is a recurring call for funding opportunities to specifically target gender issues in research, from training of researchers on the gender dimension, to creating academic professorial posts in the area and facilitating cross-sector collaborations.
• There is a shared view that action has to be taken by all stakeholders and key players, spanning all aspects of research – with financial incentives (or penalties).
• There is a strong conviction that a whole range of leadership gaps, which show serious shortcomings in the capacity to address gender issues effectively, can be pinpointed
“The results of this consultation represent an important shift in the way gender issues are perceived in science and innovation”, said Dr Elizabeth Pollitzer, genSET – Gender in Science, “We’re moving away from the traditional notion of gender as a women’s issue and acknowledging the importance of different gender dimensions in science. These range from biological to societal and cultural, and in order to drive innovation in science, it is important that all of these dimensions are addressed.”
Professor Marja Makarow, ESF Chief Executive stated: “There is an overwhelming support for the inclusion of the gender dimension as a way of improving research quality, innovative potential, and institutional R&D&I capacity that is needed to address the challenges facing Europe.
Research and innovation need the brightest minds to unearth new findings, perspectives and discoveries that improve our lives and strengthen our societies. Engage all talented individuals to benefit from their skills, expertise and creativity is therefore vital. This goal is unlikely to be met if we let gender prejudices or societal barriers shadow almost half of the research community.”
The results of the consultation will be discussed at the European Gender Summit in Brussels on 8-9 November. Together with the onsite discussions, the consultation responses will feed into the policy manifesto on "Integrated Action on the Gender Dimension in Research". To register for the Summit, please contact esf[at]kaizo.net.
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Notes to editors
About genSET – www.genderinscience.org
genSET is a project funded by the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme under Science & Society. It runs from September 2009 to February 2012 genSET draws on a thorough research scholarship, as well as on the recommendations from science leaders on what the key problems are and what actions institutions should take to address gender issues that interconnect and impact on scientific quality. This approach offers a fresh perspective on the gender dimension in science, as a combination of influences created at three key junctions of scientific activity: participation, which governs how women and men are organised within and across different disciplines; scientific culture, which determines attitudes to gender roles and differentiates treatment of women and men; and research and innovation process, which controls how the similarities and differences between men and women are regarded in science knowledge-making and its application.
About the European Gender Summit – www.gender-summit.eu/index.php
Knowledge and innovation are key drivers for sustainable growth and prosperity in Europe. Extensive research has demonstrated that the quality of research and development benefits significantly from adding gender as a critical success factor. The first European Gender Summit will network key players from all sectors to initiate the much-needed changes in the culture of research and innovation. Joint discussions will produce the first ever collective agreement on policy development on gender for innovation, the policy manifesto on "Integrated Action on the Gender Dimension in Research."
The European Gender Summit is organised jointly by genSET - gender in science, the European Science Foundation and the European Cooperation in Science and Technology.
About ESF - www.esf.org
The European Science Foundation (ESF) is an independent, non-governmental organisation that promotes collaboration in scientific research, funding of research and science policy across Europe. Its members are 78 national funding and research-performing organisations and learned societies from 30 countries.
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