Gender Equality Plans for Horizon Europe
01.02.2022
1 February 2022 marks one month since the European Commission's requirement that universities have a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) in order for their researchers to participate in Horizon Europe. LERU highlights this by publishing a webpage that showcases the member universities' GEPs.
A GEP is a strategic document that requires universities to consider the gender profile of their organisation and to identify inequalities and actions that can be taken to redress these.
The 23 LERU universities have followed the Commission's Guidance by setting priorities in different areas of equality work, reflecting their individual cultures and goals.
LERU welcomes the Commission's decision to introduce the GEP criterion for Horizon Europe and views equality as a key part of how academic institutions foster resilient and sustainable societies. Going forward, LERU will encourage its members as well as the European Commission to focus on how GEPs deliver gender equality and broader diversity change for universities and the people within them.
“GEPs are positive steps at furthering gender equality at the European level”, says Professor Kurt Deketelaere, Secretary-General of LERU. “They will help increase transparency and accountability in creating an inclusive educational and research environment for all."
The co-chairs of LERU's Policy Group on Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, Dr. Karin Gilland Lutz and Kevin Coutinho, remarked on the occasion of the webpage's launch that "the policy group has worked to increase awareness and share best practices throughout 2021, in anticipation of this change. The webpage enables everyone to see the commitment that the LERU members have made."
