Gender Equality Programme in Academia - Raising Diversity under the Erasmus+ programme

IO1 Good practice in gender equality plans - assumptions, models, inspirations. Report. In autumn 2021, every European University with ambitions to participate in projects funded under Horizon Europe will obligatorily have to prepare and implement a gender equality plan (hereafter: GEP). This material will be so fresh and cross culturally diverse that it necessitates comparative analyses. By comparing several dozen gender equality plans prepared in different European universities, it will be possible not only to identify similarities and differences between these documents but also to define good practices and identify areas for improvement. The synthesis ofthe conclusions will make it possible to present the relevant and redundant elements of the gender equality plan in community thinking. The report aims to develop a universal model for a gender equality policy to translate into an increase in diversity inthe broader academic area, which should contribute to achieving genuine gender equality here. Model is to take into account the solutions already adopted by the project partners, which already have been evaluated and new proposals that will have been jointly developed. The model constructed in this way (hereafter: Universal GEP/UGEP) is to be addressed, on the one hand, to the university authorities obliged to implement it and, on the other hand, to all members of the academic community (i.e. academic teachers, students and doctoral students, university administration staff), irrespective of which gender they identify with and whether they identify with it at all, as authorities entitled to ensure actual equality regardless of gender (TARGET GROUP,TRANSFERABILITY). Considering this multifaceted diversity while simultaneously adopting proposals for universal solutions is undoubtedly an innovative element of the planned actions. In an increasingly mobile and cosmopolitan society (European and global), such approach will allow everyone, regardless of where they study or conduct research, to use and develop their potential while fully respecting their well-being (INNOVATION). Once the UGEP has been developed, the partner universities will make every effort to implement the agreed solutions in their home institutions as quickly as possible. Simultaneously, the universal and at the same time optimised character/dimension of the UGEP will, in turn, make it possible to undertake efforts towards broader dissemination of the developed standards in order to include them in the organisation of subsequent universities. The UGEP, as a specific catalogue of good practices, will cover several levels: - the area of internal legal regulations, encompassing the developed standards of behaviour and relations between members of the academic community, including first of all: a catalogue of absolutely unacceptable and intolerable behaviours in academic space, algorithms of action in case of violating the rules mentioned above, respecting the rights of all persons/parties and establishing an entity/body responsible for permanent monitoring of observing the standards adopted within the GE (gender equality) - the area of university support for equal opportunities for work and development regardless of gender, including issues related to the organisation of studies and work, university infrastructure etc - the educational area, which includes not only measures to raise awareness of the need for a gender perspective in every aspect of the university’s acitivity and specific (procedural) training for members of the academic community, but also by enriching the educational offer with issues that raise awareness of biological and cultural gender aspects - finally - the area of monitoring and control, which includes the development of gender equality indicators, a methodology for monitoring compliance with local GEPs, while at the same time allowing, due to the highly evolving nature of the issue, for modifications necessitated by anticipated changes in the legal situation in a given country and/or social and/or cultural changes. Work on the UGEP will require almost equal involvement of all partners in equal measure. Stages of work: 1. diagnosis of the current state of GE in the partner universities - analysis of current/existing legal and organisational solutions together with their evaluation; subject - all participants, coordinator - Hungary; method: partnership meetings, analysis of national legislation and internal legal acts, social quantitative and qualitative research, participatory action research (methodology: m. dogmatic-legal, comparative, sociological and socio-legal) 2. collection and analysis of local/other GEPs and information on other actions for gender equality undertaken in different universities in Europe and the world; coordinator - PL; method: research of web resources, direct communication with selected universities, analysis of internal legal acts and solutions based on them, analysis of reported gender equality violations and actions taken on their basis (if any) 3. development of the UGEP, taking into account the four areas indicated above; stakeholders - all participants, with PL as the coordinator of the whole; method: partnership meetings, expert meetings (it is crucial that each partner university provides as wide a range of experts as possible from various fields, including but not limited to law, sociology, psychology, HR, student affairs, etc.), synthesis and selection of obtained information, determination of the level of standards, the conceptualisation of developed solutions, attempt to their standardisation 4. developing for each partner a "tailor-made" list of recommendations - necessary changes in the field of equality policy, adjusting local equality policies to the developed standards resulting from UGEP; stakeholders - all participants, with the coordinator of the whole - Italy; method - comparative and adaptive research 5. evaluation of the implemented changes (or their state of preparation for implementation), one year? after the adoption of the UGEP; stakeholders - all participants, with the overall coordinator - Cyprus; method - monitoring based on the developed indicators, 6. final report – stakeholders - all participants, with PL as overall coordinator; method – synthesis Consequently, the tangible outputs of this outcome will be: 1. The UGEP (as a tool for application both by the universities associated in the consortium and other stakeholders operating in the academic space); it is planned to translate the UGEP into all official EU languages. 2.Recommendations for the partner universities, indicating specific areas for improvement (with a follow-up procedure). 3. Final Report with a kind of "general comments", complementing the UGEP and facilitating its interpretation; this document will be addressed to a broad audience (also outside the academic sphere, which is dictated by the assumption that the situation at universities and the quality of research conducted there has a considerable impact on the politics of the government, health service, business, etc.). The final report will also be translated into all official EU languages. IO2 Modeling of diagnostic, monitoring and evaluation activities in the context of gender equality in the university space. Methodological guide. The aim ofthe methodological handbook is to present selected models of gender equality policy implemented, monitored and evaluated at European universities. The methodological handbook will present a model of methodological solutions as a set of methodological recommendations in terms of both the diagnosis of gender inequality phenomena in academia and the needs of women as tthe directions of actions and measures for the implementation of the equality policy (ensuring equal opportunities) as well as in the field of monitoring progress in the implementation of UGEP. Recommendations will in particular concern the types of indicators in various areas of diagnosis of the state and evaluation of the progress of UGEP implementation (e.g. in areas such as positions and functions, career paths, reconciling professional and family roles, security, remuneration). They will also concern the methods of carrying out diagnostic and evaluation studies, as well as the gender-sensitive research tools. The guide will be addressed to those who implement gender equality policy in academia, also to representatives of non-governmental organizations, public administration bodies and managers of introducing or developing companies seeking support and inspiration in implementing the policy of equal opportunities for women and men, and, more broadly, diversity management. (TARGET GROUPS, TRANSFERABILITY). The INNOVATIVENESS of sthe handbook concerns the presentation of an internally coherent model of diagnosis and evaluation of gender equality policy, presenting proposals of universal solutions as regards individual research categories (indicators-methods-tools) as well as proposing new indicators of analysis. In addition, the innovativeness of the project / methodological guide will consist in the interdisciplinary methodological profile of the methods of research / methodological solutions / promoted in it, based on quantitative and qualitative formulas, which will allow for the identification and in-depth analysis of the gender situation in academia, including a wide horizon of gender inequality and direct and indirect discrimination. They will also allow for the evaluation of progress and barriers in the implementation of equality policy in academies. The innovativeness of the proposed solutions will also consist in a particular promotion of methods and supporting measures / from the area of participatory action research (PAR). PAR seem to be relevant for the implementation in the academic environment not only of diagnostic and evaluation goals, but also due to the potential of developing the subjectivity of research participants and their self-awareness, as well as potentials and strengths in the sphere of activity for the development of the internal climate of the organization as ensuring equal opportunities but also potentials enabling the defense of one's own rights / empowerment effect /. The proposals for operationalization and research of phenomena and processes of key importance for gender equality presented in the methodological guide, as well as the descriptions of good practices in the field of methodological solutions used in academic environments, will be a proposal of a specific universe that allows the model to be applied entirely or selectively to various academic realities in Europe. Thus, it will meet the needs of various academic entities (universities and academies as well as others) in the field of improving the methods of analyzing and evaluating actions for gender equality, as well as fill the gap in terms of the possibility of comparing different socio-cultural realities. So far, no model has been developed that would take into account the cultural diversity of European societies and at the same time allow comparative analyzes of the situation and progress through academic and social inclusion in terms of gender. The methodological solutions proposed in the handbook, including indicators, methods and tools /, will enable an in-depth analysis of socio-cultural phenomena and processes conducive to and unfavorable to inclusiveness of the University and full academic participation of various genders / in the following spheres: educational, scientific, organizational and other. Methodology: 1. Analysis of the content of documents on the equality policy in partner universities and other academic entities (academies and high schools) in Europe and in other regions - in particular GEPs and other internal regulations and documents - focused on identifying the areas of academic reality diagnosed in GEPs, indicators showing gender situation in academic centers of the research methods used and tools for diagnosis and evaluation of implementation progress - result of the preliminary draft - as set of data. 2. University & country case studies - universities and partner countries - analysis of applied methodological solutions supporting the construction and monitoring of GEPs - interviews with experts and workshops with expert groups. With the addition of country case studies - a study of methodological solutions used in the field of diagnosis and evaluation in other academic entities in each of the partner countries against the background of the specificity of cultural society - analysis of experts from a given country / workshops /. - University & country drafts on methodological preferable. 3. Comparative analysis - meta-analysis of applied solutions - selection of areas of diagnosis and evaluation, research methods and research tools with universalistic values - workshops with experts from partner universities and the work of the university team. Lider - preliminary draft of the Guide. 4. Preparation of a universal model of good methodological practices appropriate for various realities of social culture. describing the areas of indicating, indicators, methods and research tools in the field of quantitative and qualitative research with examples. 5. Content analysis, Expert interviews - on-line and live, expert workshops - during meetings at partner universities. 6. Preparing the final version of the handbook - methodological guide. IO3 Paths to equality. A set of information and educational materials. Gender equality issue at universities has been prioritized through the new edition of the Horizon Europe program. In order to prepare this application several European initiatives in the field of building the organizational culture of universities on the basis of gender equality were reviewed and, based on the conclusions of the conducted analyzes, the need to prepare and disseminate model iconic-verbal materials promoting pro-equality attitudes was noticed. A set of modern communication tools which will act as a kind of guideposts showing good practices and procedures on how to close gender gaps in science, implemented at universities which are members of consortium. The aims of the 3rd result titled “Paths to equality” are: (1) promoting and modeling pro-equality attitudes in the university environment, (2) creating a pro-equality culture of studying and working at the university, (3) designing and disseminating a universal set of materials that can be used in various cultural environments and (4) consolidation of correct patterns of reaction in situations of violation of the principles and procedures in the field of equal treatment. All materials will be prepared taking into account the needs analysis of a diverse target group including primarily students, doctoral students and university employees with reference to the European Union values and recommendations on the gender equality issue in the area of research and innovation (e.g., European Commission Gender Equality Strategy for 2020-2025, European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, etc.). Moreover, all materials will be developed in a process which will contribute to consolidate the multistakeholder engagement to gender equality of universities which are members of the consortium. The innovative value of the 3rd result is related to the way the content is presented. So far, no iconic-verbal materials on gender issues taking into account the university context have been prepared and disseminated for the academic community. Expected impact and transferability potential of the 3rd result are: (1) better understanding of gender issues and their impact on academic environment through the use of modern and cross-cultural means iconic-verbal communication, (2) enhancing the idea of exchanging experiences and knowledge on institutional solutions related to GE among academic teachers from participant countries, (3) promoting the variety of communication methods Methodology: 1. Analysis of a variety of documents in order to gather preliminary data necessary for further works. Gathering data. Desk research 2. Content preparation 3. Graphic design, composition 4. Cross-reffering, testing, evaluation. 5. Preparing the final version 6. Translation into national languages. IO 4 Gender equality in academic teaching - an interdisciplinary perspective. Teaching materials. A set of didactic materials for classes aimed at students of various disciplines, enabling them to look at gender equality in their closest perspective. We assume that this set will contain not only detailed scenarios of specific classes, but also teaching materials ready to be used in various educational situations in the form of activating tasks, e.g. games, quizzes, films, tasks, case studies, etc. The kit will contain ready-made materials that can be successfully used at courses at various universities, on the other hand, it may be an inspiration for academic teachers to create their own original materials, showing the issues of gender equality in the area related to the taught subject. The materials will be interdisciplinary, containing exemplary approaches to the topic for selected issues within the humanities, social sciences and science. Such an approach will show the multi-context nature of the issue and its connection with many areas of knowledge. Gender equality issues can be successfully implemented during classes in various modules. Currently, there are no practical didactic materials that would show how knowledge can be transferred in different ways at various academic courses. The main goal of the fourth intellectual output is the preparation of innovative teaching materials on gender equality and gender discrimination in a context that allows the perception of this complex problem in a diverse educational environment. Thinking about gender equality in the context of students in the humanities (often more feminized) departments was diametrically opposed to understanding these issues in the complex science community. It is not about minimizing the significance of the problem, it is more about its visibility and the non-identity of the argument in the context of its persuasive value in the context of a scientifically diverse audience. The need to adapt the message of equality to representatives of specific sciences, sometimes even more than cultures, is a key assumption for the presented result. The planned introduction of equality effects to the learning outcomes as a strategic task organizing further educational activities around gender equality obliges the consortium members to prepare themselves for the undertaking on a multilateral basis. The direct recipients of the results will be teachers representing various disciplines of science, who will be able to use the developed results in the didactic process. These teachers will represent various scientific disciplines. The indirect recipients of the result will be all students who, during the classes, the teacher will inspire to further equality thinking, thanks to the creative and adequate use of prepared didactic materials in the didactic process. The innovation of the result lies not so much in the intercultural approach in thinking about gender equality, although it is also important for the project, but in thinking about the specificity of the indirect recipient (student) in the context of the chosen field of study, or rather the leading discipline appropriate for this field of study. Developing lesson plans and teaching materials that are convincing for both the mathematician and the philosopher is not always possible. We assume that matching the content and teaching methods to the possibilities of perception due to the scientific discipline leading in education will determine the implementation success of the set of materials prepared under the 4th result. It seems important that this result is in line with the Erasmus + priorities in the following scope: Inclusion and diversity: The scenarios and teaching materials prepared as part of the result will be in line with the assumptions of universal design. This will allow for collision-free access to education also for people with special needs Digital transformation: thinking about digital transformation is about the result primarily in terms of delivery (form of delivery). The entire offer will be prepared with a view to its remote implementation synchronously. Thanks to this, we implement the idea of participation in distance education, which is not only ecologically correct, but also allows us to remove many barriers that appear in the situation of residential participation. Environment and combating climate change: Delivery of the result will be as green as possible both at the planning stage (e.g. increased carbon-free digital contact between partners) and at the implementation stage (use of distance learning methods and tools)