Policy recommendations
MINDtheGEPs partners are developing and implementing Gender Equality Plans or ‘GEPs’, built on data from across the organisations. We share what we have learned, and help fill knowledge gaps in our series of recommendations. So far, the series include one policy brief about the importance of collecting evidence to shape gender equality plans and one about how positive action and gender quotas can support fixing an unequal system.
No data: No policies!
The MINDtheGEPs approach to evidence-based policies for Gender Equality Plans
Facts and figures strengthen our ability to undertake cultural and structural actions towards Gender Equality. We believe that sharing MINDtheGEPs knowledge on gender imbalances can contribute to sustainable change. We have collected both qualitative and quantitative data from project partners' organisations. This policy brief includes recommendations for how to build an evidence-based foundation for gender equality plans (GEPs) in research performing organizations, based on the assumption that without data, there will be no policy. This policy brief has also been translated to Spanish, Serbian & Polish.
Solera, Cristina, Balzano, Angela, Turco, Federica, Pisacane, Lucio, Fernow, Josepine (2023). No data- No policies! The MINDtheGEPs approach to evidence-based policies for Gender Equality Plans. Zenodo, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7785413
Gender quotas & positive action: An attack on meritocracy?
Structural incentives for gender balance in research organisations
Taking steps to address gender imbalances is essential to ensure women's career progress and promote diverse and inclusive research environments. Positive action (sometimes referred to as positive discrimination or affirmative action) is widely acknowledged as a crucial tool for achieving this goal. However, resistance persists, and opinions diverge about which are the most effective and valid strategies. This policy brief provides an overview of the multifaceted debate around positive action, the arguments for, arguments against, and pathways for implementation. The policy brief draws insight from the Gender Equality Plan development process of and interviews performed by MINDtheGEPs. It ends by presenting two case studies from Italian universities.
Cipriani, Nastassja., Solera, Cristina., & Holm Bodin, Anna. (2023). Gender quotas & positive action: An attack on meritocracy?. Zenodo. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10024373