The end marks a new beginning: from project to community of practice

After 4.5 years of focused collaboration, 31 July 2025 marks the conclusion of the EU-funded MINDtheGEPs project. But while the project might be officially over, the MINDtheGEPs community of practice continues! Sign up for our newsletter to be invited to the launch of our whitebook in the autumn and the launch of our actual book Gender (In)equality in Research and Science: A Multilevel Analysis across Europe in the spring!

The core achievement of MINDtheGEPs is the Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) developed by partner organisations. Designed with a strong foundation in data on the national and organisational context of each partner, and informed by hands-on experience, they have enabled structural and cultural change with in partner organisations.

We believe in sharing what we have learned and spreading the word on how to get started promoting gender equality in research organisations. Our whitebook, with expected launch in the autumn of 2025, will be one of the tools offered by MINDtheGEPs to help lower the threshold for others wanting to step into the promotion of gender equality in their organisation. In spring 2026, you can expect a book launch of Gender (In)equality in Research and Science: A Multilevel Analysis across Europe, edited by Cristina Solera and Manuela Naldini, where we share the details of what we have learned during these 4.5 years of MINDtheGEPs.

The MINDtheGEPs recommendations can also help guide people and organisations on different levels in developing their own initiatives to promote (and sustain) gender equality in European research organisations. Disseminated through the MINDtheGEPs Open Forum, people outside partner organisations became aware of them. The recommendations were shared widely, including through the MINDtheGEPs Open Forum, which helped bring these insights to a broader audience beyond the consortium.

Our final conference provided a platform to share the key lessons learned, as well as the challenges and breakthroughs encountered during the project. A recording of the MINDtheGEPs Final conference is available for those who couldn’t attend. In parallel, the MINDtheGEPs voices series highlighted the personal experiences and reflections of those involved, offering a human perspective on driving gender equality in complex research environments.

While 31 July 2025 might mark the end of MINDtheGEPs, it also marks the beginning of our Community of Practice. Stay in touch! Sign up to our newsletter to keep up with our activities!