The European Commission’s Advisory Group on Gender, whose mission is to provide advice to the Commission services on the implementation of the gender dimension in research and innovation content as a cross-cutting issue in Horizon 2020 work programme, recently published a new report.
“For a better integration of the gender dimension in the Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018-2020 is a position paper that aims to contribute to the preparation of the 2018-2020 Work Programme, extending and updating the suggestions proposed in its previous position paper of 2015. It takes into account the new priorities of the different Horizon 2020 Advisory Groups and proposes new ways to further integrate the gender dimension into research and innovation (R&I) content, throughout all parts of Horizon 2020.
The gender dimension is a dynamic concept that ensures that researchers question gender norms and stereotypes and address the evolving needs and social roles of women and men.
Addressing the gender dimension in research and innovation entails taking into account sex and gender in the whole research process, when developing concepts and theories,formulating research questions, collecting and analysing data and using the analytical tools that are specific to each scientific area.
The quality and accountability of research is affected negatively when sex and gender is not taken into account. Therefore, the gender dimension is an essential aspect of research excellence. It increases the societal relevance of the knowledge produced, as well as technologies and innovations.”