The project research work began with the state-of-the-art theoretical and conceptual framework on gender-based violence, including literature reviews and mapping of exisiting prevalence studies. It proceeded with the analysis of the legal and policy frameworks. This was done via extensive mapping by a network of experts in 33 EU Member States, Associated and Third Countries. The prevalence and impacts of gender-based violence were analysed via a survey implemented in 46 research performing organisations (universities and other higher education institutes, research institutions) in 15 European countries, and via a Europe-wide survey of internationally mobile early-stage career scholars on temporary contracts. The selection was made to allow for variety of contexts and diversity in size, location, and policy approaches to gender-based violence in the research performing organisations. Institutional responses and measures were analysed via 16 case studies and a strategic mapping of the participating organisations covering all 15 countries under study. In addition, 54 in-depth interviews were conducted to gather and analyse evidence on individual experiences, including victims and bystanders, of gender-based violence and institutional responses to it. All of the evidence and datasets from the project were triangulated and synthesised to provide an understanding of the mechanisms of gender-based violence on micro, meso and macro levels in research organisations, and the diverse ways in which gender-based violence is framed in policy and legislation provided, and the extent to which measures work (or not) in combating gender-based violence using a mixed-method, multi-level analysis – taking intersectionality into account.
Throughout the very productive and widely disseminated research stage, an ambitious and holistic 7P model, covering prevalence, prevention, protection, prosecution, provision of services, partnerships and policy, was used to collect and analyse data on each level. The same 7P model was used to co-design a comprehensive set of measures and tools to be applied inside universities and research organisations, as well as by other stakeholders, including policymakers and research financing organisations. Concrete recommendation and tools, a user-friendly UniSAFE toolkit for further development of holistic policy responses, and several trainings for capacity-building resulted in the inclusion of a wider community of universities and research organisations via capacity-building programmes, user involvement in tool development, and advocacy actions in the project, which facilitates the transfer of knowledge and implementation of policies for lasting impact.
