LIBRA / Leading innovative measures to reach gender balance in research activities

A long-term goal of the LIBRA project is to increase the representation of women in science and their participation at management positions. This goal is to be achieved by means of direct support for women in science and research, elimination of barriers and biases based on gender and also by means of improving awareness of gender dimension in research activities. Thus, the LIBRA project contributes to the implementation of the objectives of the European Research Area (ERA) such as support of career development for women, support of their involvement in management processes and decision-making in science and research. The LIBRA project is a response to the call of the European Commission in 2012, which states that it is necessary “to stop wasting talents that we cannot afford and to diversify our approach to research and support excellence.”

As a part of the LIBRA project, partner institutions will prepare and subsequently implement the so-called gender quality plans and carry out key activities in four pre-defined areas: 1. recruitment of male and female scientists, 2. career development, 3. work-life balancing and 4. gender dimension in research projects.

The implementation of the LIBRA project involves a total of 13 European research institutions operating in the field of life sciences and associated in the EU-LIFE consortium (www.eu-life.eu) and the expert gender organisation ASDO.

Achieving gender equality in science and research is a complex issue that requires a multidisciplinary and integrated approach. It is necessary to focus on (sub)conscious prejudices based on gender, the work environment, management and decision-making positions, stereotypes relating to male and female scientists and science in general, as well as scientific content, research priorities, etc.

At the start of the project, an initial evaluation of the existing situation of all partners will be performed (gender-based statistics, active policies and activities relevant to the project). Based on this evaluation, gender equality plans will be compiled to be subsequently implemented in the course of the project in combination with the key activities focusing on the recruitment of new employees, career development and planning, work-life balancing, and reflecting gender in research.

For the CEITEC research centre, the implementation of the LIBRA project represents an excellent opportunity to establish and implement modern HR development policies that will contribute to the overall internationalisation of the worksite. Thus, CEITEC will be able to become acquainted with good practice examples in co-operation with twelve other leading institutions in the field of life sciences and will be able to update practices such as recruitment procedures, work organisation processes or support of young scientists at the beginning of their professional careers.

Gender dimension in research projects, a new priority of the European Commission

The LIBRA project focuses on reflecting the gender aspects in research activities and procedures, among other things. It has recently been proven that sex and gender are potentially critical factors in relation to research methods. Experiment results can significantly differ based on gender. For example, male and female cells (or organisms) may behave or respond differently in various situations and these differences can even occur at a molecular level. In the past, this aspect was often overlooked or ignored, which led to resulting data that either did not differentiate between genders or that represented one gender only.

One example of a case where it is crucial to reflect the gender aspect is the research of HPV infection and the vaccine development carried out by the European Institute of Oncology. HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is a major human carcinoma affecting both women and men. However, HPV had been traditionally considered just a “female cancer”. Recently, occurrences of certain types of head and neck cancers also associated with HPV have been increasing and they occur mainly in the male population. For this reason, HPV is becoming an issue also for the male population. This clearly illustrates that it is always necessary to consider both genders in the research of HPV. Hence, the vaccination program should be implemented both in the female and in the male population. Eventually, the reflection of the gender aspect results in improved quality of scientific findings and research results, as well as significant financial savings.

Press release to download: Top European research institutes move towards gender equality