International Conference EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS October 2007 Research by, for and about women EU policies for gender equality in Science and Research Maria STRATIGAKI, Centre for Gender Studies Panteion University, Athens

Outline of the presentation The context -Gender Equality in the EU Gender Equality in the EU Research Policy Outcome Reports Gender Mainstreaming in FP5, FP6 Gender gaps Gendered scientists Gendered structures-mechanisms EU Research Policies FP7 - ERC

Gender equality in the EU Favourable political environment in the 1990s EU gender equality policies women in decision making gender mainstreaming – Dual approach UN Women’s Conference in Beijing (1995) EU promoting gender mainstreaming Enlargement (Sweden, Finland) 1995 More women: in the Parliament (1994) appr.30% in the Commission (1995) (5 women among 20) Strong impact of the European Women’s Lobby

The EC Treaty (Amsterdam) 1997 Art.2 and 3..to promote..equality between women and men … in all activities, including research and technological development.. Art Combat discrimination based on sex… Art Equality between men and women with regard to labour market opportunities.. Art Equal pay for male and female workers..

Gender equality in the EU Research Policy A woman Commissioner for Research Edith Cresson ( ) – lobbied by French women’s organisations Support by women MEPs Eryl Margaret McNally, socialist coordinator of the EP Committee on research Committed Commission staff Nicole Dewandre Specific Unit “women and science” in DG RECH Increase EU Research budget

Outcome in 1999 Commission Communication “Mobilising Women to enrich European Research” “Women and Science” Action Plan Target of 40% in EU Committees, evaluation panels etc) Science/research by, for, about women Council Resolution and EP resolution (2000) on Women in Science

Reports and fora The ETAN report (1999) Science policies in the EU: Promoting excellence through mainstreaming gender equality The Helsinki Group Gender mainstreaming national research policies Reports National Policies on Women in Science ENWISE Report (eastern countries) Women in research in industry WIRDEM (women in decision making in research)

Gender mainstreaming EU FPs FP 5 ( ) Women’s participation: 18% of project coordinators (FR4 below 10%) 16% in the date base of evaluators 23% of evaluators 40% in Marie Curie Fellowships Gender impact assessments in all programmes

FP6 ( ) Gender action plans in all research projects (Vademecum) Women’s Participation 32% Evaluation panels 29%-31% Advisory Groups/Programme Committees 24% Expert databases Research on gender in science Study “gender and excellence” She Figures. Statistics and Indicators 2003, 2006 The European Platform of Women Scientists

There are..still.. gaps Definitions: Grade A - The single highest grade/post at which research is normally conducted, Grade B - Researchers working in positions not as senior as top position (A) but more senior than the newly qualified PhD holders, Grade C - The first grade/post into which a newly qualified PhD (ISCED6) graduate would normally be recruited ISCED 6 – Advanced higher education programmes (PhD) ISCED 5A – Basic higher education programmes (Bachelors and Masters) leading to access to advanced university studies (PhD) Relative share of women & men in a typical academic career EU -25, headcount, all fields of science, 1999 and 2004

Relative share of women & men in a typical academic career EU-25, headcount, nat. science and eng. fields, 1999 & 2003

Gendered research, science and technology The making of gendered scientists “preferences” study patterns career opportunities Family/ work priorities Hard sciences vs soft sciences Technology vs humanities

Gendered research The making of gendered scientific structures/ processes /cultures Research Institutions Operation and budgeting Research evaluation systems Academia Career patterns Research funding Faculty recognition

EU research policy. The three tracks! Research/science by women gender balance in participation in all levels of R&D (scientists, policy makers) Research/science for women/gender equality excellence in research, gender informed results, transformation of research methods/approches Research/science about women/gender specific knowledge, gender research topics

Prerequisites Political will Global gender equality approach not only economic priorities Mechanisms at EU and national level Specific Budget allocation in FPs Gender impact assessments Transnational advocacy networks

Gender/women in the FP “New” challenges and “New” risks The enlarged European Research Area Women in Science in the Eastern Europe The European Research Council (ERC) Funding individuals Diversity Ex. “Unit: Scientific culture and gender questions” Human resources approach Weak women’s movement

RESULTS OF ERC Proposals ( ) a new glass ceiling? Evaluated Proposals: 8794 Percentage of women: 30% PE2 (16%) - SH4 (50%) Selected proposals : 559 Percentage of women: 24% PE2 (8%) – SH4 (64%)