University of Gdańsk one of four European Gender Equality Champions

Through their efforts in MINDtheGEPs, the University of Gdańsk provides strong examples for how to address gender issues and promote equality within academia. Not least through a recent campaign on work-life balance aiming to set a new standard on how to combine family life with an academic career.

The University of Gdańsk won the award in the Newcomer Gender Equality Champions category, with the following motivation: “The University of Gdańsk in Poland has made impressive strides in gender equality by implementing its first Gender Equality Plan. This initiative has also inspired and supported other institutions in the region and beyond.”

The award ceremony for the third edition of the EU Award for Gender Equality Champions took place in Brussels on 3 March. Marc Tachelet, Director of the European Research Executive Agency was leading the ceremony, and the winners received the award from EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva. From the University of Gdańsk, Professor Natasza Kosakowska-Berezecka, Professor Paweł Antonowicz, Professor Ewa Łojkowska, and Marta Dziedzic attended the ceremony to receive the award.

The University of Gdańsk has also demonstrated how to use the tools in the gender equality plan to create real change, creating commitment by engaging a diverse group of people in their community.

As a winner of the EU Award for Gender Equality Champions, the University of Gdańsk joins a dedicated network who will continue to work towards gender equality and inspire others in the process. Each winner will also receive a prize of €100,000.

Do you want to know more?

• Unveiling EU Gender Equality Champions in Research and Innovation (European Commission)
• Putting the spotlight on fathers: work-family balance at the University of Gdańsk (MINDtheGEPs)
• Beyond the plan: from tool to community change at the University of Gdańsk (MINDtheGEPs)
• MINDtheGEPs Stories (YouTube)

By Fanny Klingvall