Relevance of gender in the policy area

Promoting gender equality is a key principle of all nations in all its activities. Research shows a pronounced under-representation of women, particularly in the hard sciences and in leadership positions. Gender equality in research is essential not only for fairness and inclusiveness, but because it could help address current and future deficits in skilled labour and support the transition to a fair, green and digital society. Gender equality provides important leverage for enhancing the competitiveness of research and innovation (R & I) organisations, for increasing their innovation performance and for transforming them into more equitable and inclusive organisations. Extensive research has been undertaken regarding the reasons and mechanisms that keep women away from research and from moving up the career ladder in this field. Studies have revealed gender-discriminatory practices, such as biased recruitment, promotion and funding processes and criteria. There is also a strong influence of gender stereotypes in relation to R & I. Gender discrimination in science may take different forms, sometimes overt, but most often subtle and hidden. It may operate even in highly formalised and seemingly gender-neutral peer-review processes or selection and promotion procedures. 

Furthermore, working cultures in R & I organisations are experienced as not inclusive and frequently even toxic , especially – but not only – by women. Gender-based violence and sexual harassment have long been overlooked as sources for why women leave R & I. Conventional research agendas often fail to take sex and gender differences into account and to distinguish different possible impacts related to gender. This phenomenon leads to omissions and distortions and may also result in missed market opportunities. But integrating sex and gender analysis into research sparks and enhances creativity by offering new perspectives and questions, and by opening new areas of R & I.

Gender inequalities in the policy area – Main issues

• Gender segregation in research and innovation;
• Gender-related career challenges and gender imbalance in senior positions in academia;
• Gender gaps in research productivity;
• Gender bias in access to research funding;
• Gender-blind and gender-biased research;
• Gender-blind and gender-biased organisational culture and institutional processes.

Current policy priorities

• Prioritising investments and reforms in R & I;
• Boosting market uptake;
• Strengthening mobility of researchers and free flow of knowledge and technology;
• Improving access to excellence.