Global Research Council report on policies, actions and approaches

Global Research Council report on policies, actions and approaches

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  The Global ResearchCouncil: Promoting the Equality and Status of Women in Research Dorothy Ngila (South Africa) and Soukeye Dia Tine (Senegal) Africa Representatives, GRC Gender Working Group
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  About the GlobalResearch Council • Virtual organization, over 65 heads of national public funding agencies from around the world. • GRC purposes: • improve communication and cooperation • sharing of data and best practices • forum for regular meetings of HORCs • address issues of common concern • resource source for institutions to build world-class research landscapes • explore mechanisms that support the global science enterprise
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  2016 Statement ofPrinciples and Actions: Promoting the Equality and Status of Women in Research • 2014: GRC Statement of Principles and Actions for Shaping the Future: Attracting and retaining best talents in all their diversity • 2016: GRC endorsed Statement of Principles and 10 Actions: Promoting the Equality and Status of Women in Research
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  Implementing Statement ofPrinciples and Actions Promoting the Equality and Status of Women in Research Africa • NRF, SA • MESR, Senegal Americas • NSERC, Canada • FAPESP, Brazil (c0- chair) Asia Pacific • NSF, Sri Lanka • MBIE, New Zealand Europe • UKRI • DFG, Germany • Science Europe MENA • TRC, Oman • KACST, Saudi Arabia 2017 Gender Working Group
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  A Focus onBest-Practice Case Studies • Launched in May 2019 • “This case study booklet is a significant contribution in furthering mutual learning amongst GRC members and across the sector”
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  A Focus onBest-Practice Case Studies Purpose • Provide an overview of possible policy options for improving the equality and status of women in research • Provide a baseline from which we can determine progress in future years • Promote the implementation of similar practices elsewhere • Give funders ideas and inspiration for their own work
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  A Focus onBest-Practice Case Studies What we got  53 case studies  28 countries  All 5 GRC regions
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  1. On Policy:Engage in national discussions of policy frameworks regarding equality, diversity and the status of women to ensure recognition of these issues • Sexual harassment and bullying measures: National Science Foundation, USA • Gender Equality in Research & Academia toolbox: German Research Foundation
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  2. On Data:Collect and make available data for comparative analysis • 2017 National STI mapping exercise = few women researchers= adapting research and grants management manual: National Science and Technology Council, Zambia • 2018 national gender in STEM survey: National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka • Annual reporting on gender profile of individual applicants to ARC grants: Australian Research Council
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  • 2013 Ministerialguidelines for improving equity in the distribution of bursaries and fellowships: National research Foundation, South Africa • Made-in-Canada Athena SWAN: NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR, Canada  Adapting Athena SWAN to the realities and context of Canada  Wide public consultation on implementation  Will cover all underrepresented groups 3. On MEL: Incorporate the evaluation of progress towards gender-based goals
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  • Changes inapplication upper age limits for women: Natural Science Foundation of China • Explorer grant applications that are short and assessed blind to increase fairness and transparency: Health Research Council, New Zealand  Reviewers don’t know who’s behind the idea and are not influenced by the track record of the team  Reduces the potential for prejudice based on an applicant’s gender or other perceived personal characteristics  16% increase in number of female applicants since inception in 2016  2018, 50% of all applicants females 4. On Career Development and Progression: Shift the focus from the researcher “track record” to “research opportunity”
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  United Kingdom Researchand Innovation, National Research Funding Agency: France  Review and observation of review panels  Raising awareness of unconscious bias amongst staff and committee members  UKRI undertakes equality impact assessments linked to evaluation process 5. On Training: Provide training on equality and diversity policies, including the recognition of unconscious bias and how it can be addressed
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  6. On CareerPathways: Explore pathways for women to succeed in research and to rise in leadership in policy and decision making bodies • Programme to improve qualifications and expertise of women employees and preparing them for advanced scientific research: King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia • Institutional endorsements to scientific events if they have adequate gender representation: National Council of Scientific and Technical Research, Argentina
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  • PAPES: Ministryof Higher Education Research and Innovation, Senegal • Thuthuka programme: National Research Foundation, South Africa • ADVANCE programme: National Science Foundation, USA • Starting Investigator Research Grants gender initiative: Science Foundation Ireland • Targeted calls, gender-specific funding schemes and fellowships for women: Australian Research Council 7. On Targeted Approaches: Consider dedicated or strategic programmes, where appropriate, with the specific purpose of encouraging gender equality
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  • 2016 studyon work-life balance of women in education and research institutions: The Research Council of Oman • Maternity leave/ childcare/ family-friendly policies for grant holders: China, Argentina, Germany, New Zealand, India, Switzerland, Australia, Japan • Sao Paulo Research Foundation, Brazil  2013: 120 days of paid maternity leave for women holding any FAPESP scholarship  2014: 5 day paid paternity leave for men holding FAPESP scholarships  2015: additional benefits to cater for diversity and inclusivity 8. On Work-Life: Promote family friendly policies and practices in relation to caregiving obligations
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  9. On GenderDimension in Research: Recognise the advantages of considering the gender dimension in research and encourage the development of this  Focus in 2019 Annual Meeting 10. Periodically review the statement of principles and actions i.e. reflecting on equality, diversity and inclusion Implementing Statement of Principles and Actions Promoting the Equality and Status of Women in Research
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  Going Forward • On-goingwork to add to the inventory of actions and practices by funding agencies • Focus on gender disaggregated data: survey on trends • Interest in harnessing partnerships with like-minded initiatives Implementing Statement of Principles and Actions Promoting the Equality and Status of Women in Research Commitment by the Funding Agencies • GRC members as custodians and advocates of statement of principles and action plan • Gender as a cross cutting theme in regional meetings going forward • Champion in each GRC member organisation
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  Contact: Africa Region DorothyNgila NRF, South Africa [email protected] Soukeye Dia Tine MESRI, Senegal [email protected]