The EQUAL-IST project (Gender Equality Plans for Information Sciences and Technology Research Institutions) aims at introducing structural changes to enhance gender equality in Information Sciences and Technology (IST) research institutions. The project is funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 programme.

During the conference Claude Draude will present on "Gender and diversity inclusive ICT research and design".

About the conference

ERA objectives have stressed the importance of gender equality in research, at the three levels of fostering equality in scientific careers, achieving gender balance in decision making and integrating a gender dimension in research content. Gender balance in research organizations is considered as a key step for ensuring research excellence and quality and inclusive-sustainable innovation. Still, in spite of an increasing number of HE and research institutions committed to make science more equal and some positive trends in figures on Gender equality in STEM research, it still appears to be difficult to prioritize gender equality. This is particularly true for disciplines such as ICT/IST where female representation at all levels is among the lowest ones among STEM topics and where a gender sensitive approach to ICT design and programming is far from being understood in its implications among computer and information systems scientist.

H2020 (PGERI and SWAFS programmes in particular), promoted the concept of structural change for gender equality, insisting on the need for merging change management and gender policies, and have funded dedicated research projects in this field in the last 2 programming periods starting from FP7 already.

The conference intends to start from the presentation of results and tools from the H2020 EQUAL-IST project to discuss opportunities to innovate teaching, students services, HR management and Institutional communication via gender equality, as well as existing hindrances and resistances which are slowing structural change processes down, starting from the perspective of ICT and IS Research Organizations.

For further information and registration to this free-of-charge conference visit the EQUAL-IST website.