Increasing the participation of women in research, and promoting gender equality, is vital in strengthening the competitiveness of European research. A greater involvement of women in research will contribute not only to an increased number of skilled researchers in our institutions but will also add a different perspective to research programmes, promote diversity, improve decision-making and contribute to enhanced creativity and innovation. This view informed the focus of the SAGE high-level consortium, who have worked together to introduce and develop gender-sensitive organisational cultures and practices in their respective universities, thus effecting a sustainable and systemic structural change in how those institutions function.
Universities have a fundamental role in addressing gender imbalances and growing equality by ensuring that the recruitment of talent and achievement of research excellence, coexist with social awareness and responsibility.
Through its activities, SAGE (Systemic Action for Gender Equality) sought stronger action on gender equality in higher education and research. The SAGE consortium devised and implemented interventions to advance gender equality in seven universities, and has developed a proven model that can be implemented throughout the European research sector and beyond.
SAGE was designed using the concepts and methodology of structural change to deliver a more equitable research landscape. The composition of the consortium has facilitated the transfer of learning, thus increasing the efficacy of Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) and their capacity to deliver greater gender balance and gender awareness in research and decision making.
The 3 macro objectives were to:
1. remove barriers to the recruitment, retention and career progression of female researchers;
2. address gender imbalances in decision-making processes;
3. strengthen the gender dimension in research programmes.
The 5 micro objectives were to:
1. build upon the body of knowledge and experience gained from INTEGER FP7 Project, to orchestrate structural change leading to the improved career progression of women researchers through robust impact assessments of procedures and practices;
2. diffuse the knowledge and experience into further EU research and innovation organisations, in particular implementing innovative strategies to address gender bias;
3. provide a testing ground for building and adapting GEPs through setting targets and monitoring progress via indicators;
4. ensure comprehensive and wide-reaching diffusion and exploitation of the SAGE concepts to RPOs and RFOs to support their implementation of gender equality plans;
5. create strong and sustained engagement of the academic and student communities in partner institutions through their involvement in the process of implementing GEPs, along with evaluation and dissemination of the SAGE concepts and GEPs to stakeholders and the general public.
A SAGE Charter of Principles for Gender Equality was launched in Brussels in July 2019, for adoption by RPOs and RFOs across Europe to advance towards gender-balanced research. Key SAGE outputs were designed and produced to support the development of in-house capacity within peer institutions throughout the research sector via the SAGE Wheel Model for Gender Equality Plans, SAGE Online Course and SAGE Toolkit. These resources are all available for widespread use via the SAGE website:
http://www.sage-growingequality.eu(se abrirá en una nueva ventana).
SAGE Day events were held in partner countries and in Brussels to spread the SAGE message and showcase the tools available. Attendees were presented with and invited to wear a SAGE Pin to signify visible support for GEPs and for gender equality in higher education and research generally.
Through these activities, SAGE partners have produced a suite of customizable tools, initiatives and methodologies (including Change Management Models and Key Performance Indicators) that can be tailored and adopted in Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) and Research Funding Organisations (RFOs) throughout Europe, thus ensuring wide-reaching systemic change.
