How do the individual Circle U. member universities work with gender equality? What are the barriers and obstacles? And how can we at Circle U. strengthen our efforts towards achieving gender balance in our activities? These are some of the questions addressed in the new study: Integrating gender balance in Circle U. activities, which was conducted by researchers from Aarhus University as part of the Empowering Research and Innovation Actions in Circle U. (ERIA) project and which has just been published on the Circle U. website.
Practical tools for staff
"The study aims to guide the future gender equality efforts in the alliance and provide the foundation for the development of guidelines for a Circle U. gender equality plan. However, it also serves to inspire staff involved in gender equality work at the individual universities," says the leader of the study Evanthia K. Schmidt, who conducted the research along with her colleagues Anna Vigsø Pedersen and Louise Isgaard Saugstrup from the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy, Department of Political Science at Aarhus University.
“The study provides readers insights into how each university addresses gender equality and the barriers and challenges related to this effort. In addition, the study offers examples of best practices and lessons learned, along with practical tools that each institution can utilise. These include a roadmap for working with gender equality plans and a toolbox with tangible strategies and actions”.
National differences must be considered
The study shows that while gender equality is a concern at all member universities, working with gender equality is subject to different national and institutional barriers.
This is important to keep in mind, says Evanthia K. Schmidt:
“Our findings underline the need to prioritise gender equality within the alliance by working closely together and having a consistent approach to our gender equality activities. However, we also need to acknowledge that gender equality is a multifaceted issue and initiatives should be tailored to suit the distinct institutional contexts of member universities. Finally, we need to work towards developing a shared understanding of how to approach gender equality in the alliance”.
Recommendations for future work
Based on the findings of the study, the authors present the following recommendations for how to foster synergies and strengthen efforts towards achieving gender equality within the Circle U. alliance:
- Enhance commitment and prioritise gender equality across all member universities
- Foster closer collaboration on gender equality among member universities
- Cultivate a shared understanding of gender equality
- Establish a common framework for gender equality work
- Implement systematic monitoring, evaluation, and follow-up of gender equality action plans
- Promote the sharing of results, experiences, and mutual learning among member universities
- Build capacities and expertise in gender equality
These recommendations will be taken into account in future gender quality efforts of the alliance, while the study will inform the work of the “Women in Science" group as they embark on the development of guidelines for a Circle U. gender equality plan.
Read the report on gender balance
Facts about the study
- Purpose and scope: To contextualise the gender dimension in Circle U. as part of the Empowering Research and Innovation Actions in Circle U. (ERIA)-project.
- Work package number: WP4
- Lead university: Aarhus University - The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy, Department of Political Science.
- Authors: Anna Vigsø Pedersen, Evanthia K. Schmidt, Louise Isgaard Saugstrup.
- Methodology: Desk research into national legislation in the nine Circle U. member countries and mapping of gender equality plans in place at the nine universities during the spring of 2022.
Interviews with employees from each of the nine universities, all of whom were involved in gender equality work at their respective institutions.
