Gender Equality Plans and Inclusiveness in the European Research Area

Gender equality is a key objective of the European Research Area. The arsenal of gender equality concepts has expanded considerably over the past decades—from gender mainstreaming in the 1990s to the current inclusion, diversity, and intersectionality approaches. Gender equality plans (GEPs) are key to increasing gender equality. With the launch of Horizon Europe, the European Union’s research and innovation program 2021–2027, the European Commission introduced a new eligibility criterion: To be eligible, any research‐performing organization (RPO) applying for funding, except private companies, must have a GEP in place. There is little evidence on the prevalence of GEPs at RPOs, and if they incorporate concepts about inclusiveness, which is increasingly intended. To address this knowledge gap, we present the first results of a unique mixed‐method study that combines online survey data (𝑁 = 270) and web‐scraping data (𝑁 = 6,475). Almost half of the studied organizations (41%) have a GEP. Our results show differences for organization types, i.e., private companies are less likely to have one (6%). Moreover, the intersectionality approach (14%) is less frequently used in GEPs than inclusion (76%) and diversity (80%). Diversity as an approach is significantly more widespread in Northwestern Europe compared to Central Eastern and Southern European countries. Based on our study, we recommend that policymakers develop measures for private companies as well and call for further support to develop intersectional and inclusive approaches of GEPs in RPOs.