GENDER STI

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

GENDER STI investigated how gender equality matters are taken into consideration at different levels of international cooperation in STI between the EU and a selected set of third countries and provides insightful learnings and recommendations on how to address gender equality in R&I within the EU STI dialogue with key international partners.

The GENDER STI project addressed the challenge to integrate the gender perspective in bilateral and multilateral STI dialogues between EU Member States, Associated Countries and 10 selected third countries from three continents: Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, India, South Korea and China. Our investigation has been conducted along the three objectives of the EU gender equality strategy in R&I, i.e., gender equality in scientific careers, gender balance in decision-making and the integration of the gender dimension in R&I content. The most policy-relevant findings of GENDER STI are the following:

a) The European Observatory on Gender in STI https://www.gender-sti.org/. The Observatory has been established to serve as a comprehensive and up-to-date source of information about gender equality in STI dialogues with third countries. The Observatory benefits policy debates on gender equality in STI and international cooperation, connecting organisations and practitioners interested in supporting gender mainstreaming in STI collaboration. The structure of the Observatory comprises four key areas: Gender Equality in international STI dialogues; Co-Design Labs & Gender Equality Solutions; Gender STI Community of Practice; and Resources.

b) Mapping on gender equality in STI bilateral and multilateral agreements. The mapping study based on the analysis of a sample of 528 STI agreements from 50 countries (including bi- and multilateral agreements, memorandums of understanding (MoU) and STI implementation activities), alongside insights gathered through a survey with 204 respondents and 80 in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders in Europe and third countries. Our findings show that only 15% of the identified agreements include gender-related content. Most of the gender content is found in government level dialogues, especially in the third country context. In turn, the role of STI funding and research performing organizations is rather limited. The GENDER STI inquiries also revealed that there are a lot of commonalities between European and third countries on what needs to be done to include gender equality in international R&I cooperation.

c) Co-design Labs tackling gender equality in STI worldwide. GENDER STI hosted a series of Co-Design Lab workshops to address three forefront challenges faced by women in STI that are at the core of the European Commission's gender equality strategy, i.e., gender equality in scientific careers; gender balance in decision making bodies and positions; and the integration of the gender dimension in R&I content. The Labs were implemented over 12 sessions in different days with a duration of 36 hours. Altogether, the Labs engaged +140 participants from 25 counties, including Europe, North America, Latin America, South Africa and Asia. As a result, we have developed 20 prototypes to enhance gender equality, which lay the groundwork for the Gender STI Community of Practice and policy recommendations.

d) Policy recommendations action plan. Built on collaborative effort of stakeholders, researchers, innovators, policymakers, and visionary individuals and organizations that advocate for gender equality in R&I, GENDER STI has developed a set of recommendations to foster gender equality in international STI dialogues and cooperation. The action plan outlines a strategic roadmap to translate the selected recommendations on gender equality in STI into concrete actions, encompassing clear responsibilities, timeframes, anticipated impact, and third parties involved.
e) Support to inclusive gender equality in international STI Dialogues. GENDER STI provide advice and shared the findings of the project and good practices for the integration of gender equality in international R&I collaboration and STI dialogues between Europe and third countries.