The importance of building alliances
Organisational change rests on the activation of formal and informal structures. Through MINDtheGEPs, the University of Turin was able to leverage an existing structure – an interdisciplinary centre for the study of women and gender – to build strong alliances with the governing bodies of the University.
Gender equality plans have been a pre-requisite for receiving research funding from the Horizon Europe framework programme as of 2022, something that has helped accelerate the process in MINDtheGEPs partner organisations. According to Manuela Naldini, Professor of sociology at the University of Turin, the combination of access to project funding and the CIRSDe centre platform are two of the key factors for success. CIRSDe is the Research Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Turin. The big team, commitment to gender equality, and research connection at CIRSDe makes actions innovative.
According to Manuela Naldini, some of the more innovative actions, like financial incentives for departments that decide to promote women as full professors, have been possible because of a good alliance between representatives of the project, and the top-level management at the university. Which meant that the governing bodies were very much involved in the project. With the project group situated in a research environment, there were already a lot of groups, both formal and informal, who were ready to start working.
“At the start of the project, we already had several groups in certain departments already advanced in providing this kind of… ready to advance the Gender Equality Plans and actions”, says Manuela Naldini.
An unexpected alliance formed with the newly appointed delegate for equal opportunities. a decision made by the Rector at the University of Turin without prior consultation with the MINDtheGEPs team. This created tension at first. However, it turns out that the person who took on the role was very much allied the project’s approaches. And, according to Manuela Naldini, this was probably also not expected by the Rector either.
Building alliances has been key to create change at the University of Turin. By using existing networks, securing funding, and working closely with university leaders, MINDtheGEPs has helped drive real change. This shows how collaboration can make a big difference on the journey towards gender equality in large, research performing organisations.
By Josepine Fernow & Fanny Klingvall