Norway defends women research quotas
Norway's government will defend quotas for women in professorships at Oslo University in front of the EC court if necessary, it was revealed on 13 February. The statement follows a request from the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) to cease the practice. Oslo University has reserved a few high-placed research situations since 1995. The controversial quota system was introduced by Norway's parliament to improve gender balance in academic positions. Only 13 per cent of top research positions are occupied by women, despite a very high percentage of women university students. 'The government has, after a thorough evaluation, decided that the legislation and the reservation of posts for women are not at war with the EEA Agreement,' said Kristin Clemet, minister of education and culture. According to the ESA, the quota breaches the EEA Agreement as it does not take applications from men into consideration for these positions. The debate has found many attentive followers in the EU, most prominently the EU Commission adviser on quality, Barbara Helfferich, who supports the Norwegian position.