Research results

Diagnosis of Gender Equality Issues

Cross – institution E4E database

The database consists of two parts and includes information about the EQUAL4EUROPE consortium related to equality survey data collected in Work Package 2 of the project and administrative data from the Institutional Gender Equality Index collected in Work Packages 2 and 7. In more detail, the first part, entitled ‘E4E_gender equality index’, provides a statistical summary of gender equality in Stata format. The data have been aggregated from all the research centres within the consortium, with reference to the year the data was collected. This part is accompanied by a codebook in PDF format. The second part, ‘E4E_gender equality survey’, contains data collected through surveys, also in Stata format, with measures applied to prevent identification and any potential linking with the institutions where the data were collected. This second part is also accompanied by a codebook in PDF format.


In line with the requirements of the EQUAL4EUROPE project, the consortium partners follow the open access policy of the Horizon 2020 programme, providing free and open access and reusable data. All partners have committed to deposit their non-personal data to Zenodo, in strict compliance with the rules of confidentiality and the General Data Protection Regulation (EU Directive 95/46/EC). Prior to publication, all the data contained in this database have been reviewed by partner institutions to ensure that they cannot be associated with particular individuals or institutions and that they are fully anonymised. Where there is any risk of identification, the final published data are aggregated results with specific variables where any risk of identification has been eliminated. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10781003 

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Gender Equality Index

This is a resource for any organisations that wish to conduct a quantitative analysis of gender dimensions, addressing faculty staff, administrative staff, researchers, and students. In addition, contents included in this table can be used as a guideline to implement and track gender equality indicators. The document also assesses the existence and implementation of gender equality policies, and gender opportunities. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10646502

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Guide for interviews with Female Academics

This material can be used by all those interested in interview guides that were used to feed the Gender Equality Index of the EQUAL4EUROPE project (for a template, see “Gender equality survey: template”, always in this section) with relevant data”. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10646162

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Gender equality survey: template

The purpose of the Gender Equality Survey is to examine peoples' experiences and perceptions of their working environment. The information gathered can serve the practical ambition of improving wellbeing and belonging within these settings. This model of survey included in this template takes less than 8 minutes to complete. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10635710

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Tool for Comparing Institutional Results in Gender Equality

This material can be used by other researchers looking to compare results from different institutions. The tool includes, among other resources, a description of the challenges we faced when comparing results and the colour code used to visually differentiate between the different levels of (in) equality. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10646546

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Institutional report on current GE situation: Template

The research output can be used by people outside the EQUAL4EUROPE consortium, who wish to organize an impactful presentation of the diagnosis of gender equality situation in their institution. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10641453

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Equal4Europe Comparative Report: Summary

The summary is aimed at providing organizations and people outside the EQUAL4EUROPE consortium with some insights about the trends concerning gender-sensitive issues in these six project's research partner institutions. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10635823

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Gender Equality Regulations: Spain

This information can be used by all those interested in an outline about gender equality in the Spanish labour market and academic sector and on the legal instruments recently introduced to strengthen the balance between women and men. 

In the first section, some information, and statistical data about gender equality in the labour market, and especially in the academic and research sector, are provided. The second section focuses on the attempt of the Spanish legislator to strengthen the equality between women and men in the labour market through specific legal instruments. This effort, conducted mainly during the last decade, may represent a benchmark for other EU Member States.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10646444

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Gender Equality Regulations: France

The following paragraphs describe what is France’s current policy environment on gender equality. Notably, it discusses the 2019 tool that was introduced into French law – the Professional Gender Equality Index. It is now mandatory for companies with over 50 employees to publish this index. The latter is based on 5 different domains and calculates how well a company is faring in GE out of 100. If companies obtain a score below 75, they must implement corrective measures to address the domains which are most problematic.

As such, this Index is extremely informative, as it provides insight as to relevant domains and indicators against which companies can evaluate their gender equality performance. In addition to this, the paragraphs describe the legislative context within which this index is situated. It could be used by researchers who need background information on the French national context.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10646464

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Gender Equality Regulations: Germany

This material can be used by those interested in the main advances in regulations regarding gender equality in Germany. The text provides the necessary context to understand what is being done in public and private research institutions.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10646424

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Human resources, institutional policies, and best practices

Gender Inclusive Recruitment & Selection Toolkit for HR Professionals

This toolkit contains gender inclusive recruitment and selection best practices and tools for HR Professionals, and everybody involved in the recruitment and selection process.  

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10663587

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Programs and Materials for Retention and Development

This document can be used by those working in the higher education sector, supporting them in the goal of retaining a diverse workforce, and in particular female academics, in their organization. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10663550 

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Environmental Factors and Consequent Individual Skills Needs Assessment

This project deliverable provides knowledge and information on the assessment of the training and development needs in the six partner universities of the EQUAL4EUROPE (E4E) project to foster gender equality. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10663494

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Culture and Working Climate for Women: Assessment Report

This document can be used by all those interested in the assessment of the organisational culture and the working climate for women. The report presents key findings stemming from the institutional surveys and semi-structured interviews carried out within the consortium during the implementation of the EQUAL4EUROPE project. These activities addressed, in particular, female faculty, temporary contract researchers, and PhD students as well as key stakeholders such as university deans, HR leads, members of work councils. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10663293

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Monitoring and Budgeting Toolkit

This paper can be used by those interested in a framework to acquire adequately segmented data on hiring, retention, promotion, pay, development investments, and decision‐making committees by gender. The framework and guidelines can be utilised for defining goals and monitoring progress toward gender equality. The document also entails analysing and making recommendations on how institutions can approach resources allocation by gender.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10663525

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Leadership and Top management

Recommendations on improving gender-balance in decision-making bodies and actions to be included in the GEPs

This document can be used by those who aim to include an informed and applicable part on gender equality in decision-making in their Gender Equality Plans and to provide them with a selection of specific actions or strategies that they might want to take. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10666610

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Training and toolkit to improve GE related to decision-making

This document can be used by those interested in organising training for the management staff of higher education and/or research institutions, particularly for those involved in decision-making bodies and processes. The training has been designed based on various approaches for its design and implementation. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10666631

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Gender Equality in Research

Gender in Research: A Reading List

The reading list is a great starting point for framing the discourse on the gender dimension in research. The list may be beneficial for students, researchers, gender experts, and anyone interested in examining ways how to identify gender dimension in various research fields (both AHMSSBL and STEM).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10659522

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Gender (un)awareness in higher education (comic book)

This research output provides, through a comic book, indications on how to establish a gender-sensitive relationship with students, making in-class activity and communication respectful of equality and inclusion. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10659551

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Checklist for Gender Sensitive Research

The aim of the checklist is to help researchers reflect on how to integrate the gender dimension across different stages of research projects. The checklist includes set of questions to be asked when creating the research design, conducting the research, and disseminating its outcomes. The questions are complemented by short explanatory notes that help the reader understand the concepts addressed in the questions and/or provide practical examples. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10659504

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Checklist for Gender Sensitive Teaching

The aim of the checklist is to help higher education teachers reflect on their teaching practice with respect to gender sensitivity. The checklist includes set of questions to be asked when designing the course and developing the content of the course curriculum or when reflecting on the classroom practices. The questions are complemented by the short explanatory notes that help the reader understand the concepts addressed in the questions and/or provide practical examples. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10659518

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Training courses on integrating a gender perspective in research and education

This document can be used by those interested in introducing a training on integrating the gender perspective in research and education for their PhD students and faculty members.  

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10659597

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Case studies: Report on collected best practices of gender-sensitive research in partners´ institutions

This report includes a series of case studies concerning the integration of the gender dimension in research and teaching. The case studies are based on examples identified by the EQUAL4EUROPE project partners as good practices within their institutions and address both qualitative and quantitative research topics. The main objective of the studies is to provide practical examples of how to work with the gender dimension and to demonstrate the added value of gender-sensitive approaches in research and teaching.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10659553

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Elaboration of Gender Equality Plans

Toolkit for adopting Gender Equality Plans in AHMSSBL research institutions

The toolkit contains detailed instructions for designing and setting-up Gender Equality Plans in research institutions in the field of Arts, Humanities, Medicine, Social Sciences, Business and Law (AHMSSBL). It covers from the first steps - including establishing an equality committee and engaging stakeholders - to outlining measures and objectives, as well as monitoring, reporting and evaluation strategy. The last section includes a series of best practices collected by the EQUAL4EUROPE consortium, suitable to inspire some measures for the aforementioned Gender Equality Plans and dealing with: (i) removing barriers to recruitment, retention and career progression of female researchers; (ii) gender balance in decision-making bodies and processes; (iii) integrating the gender dimension in research and innovation content. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10655641

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Editable template for Gender Equality Plans

This toolkit consists of a template providing knowledge, guidelines, and information on how to structure a Gender Equality Plan for research institutions in the field of Arts, Humanities, Medicine, Social Sciences, Business and Law (AHMSSBL). 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10655651

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Best practices in adopting effective, impactful, and sustainable Gender Equality Plans

This collection of good practices can be used by all those interested in adopting and implementing effective, impactful and sustainable Equality Plans in their institution/workplace.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10655593

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Best practices and recommendations on gender equality for AHMSSBL research institutions

This document can be used by all those interested in adopting gender equality measures in AHMSSBL research institutions regarding (i) removing barriers to recruitment, retention, and career progression of female researchers, (ii) addressing gender imbalances in decision-making bodies and processes and (iii) integrating the gender dimension in research and innovation content. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10655582

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Gender Equality Officer – Job description and operational guidelines

This document can be used by all those interested in a guide to decide on how to create the position of Gender Equality Officer (GEO) at their institution. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10655607

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Tracking Tool for Gender Equality Plans

This document can be used by all those interested in monitoring the process of setting up GEPs. In this Excel-file, the setting-up process has been divided in 4 blocks: (i) Preliminary steps for adopting a GEP; (ii) The negotiation process; (iii) Designing the GEP; and (iv) Dissemination and engaging key stakeholders. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10655660

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Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Research Institutions

Position paper and recommendations for accreditation agencies to incorporate gender equality as part of the "ethics and societal contribution" of the business schools

This document can be used by those interested in an analysis on the current status of the incorporation of gender equality in ethics and societal contribution required to business schools, as an element to obtain three of the most important and world leading excellence accreditations (EQUIS of EFMD; Business Accreditation of AACSB; and MBA of AMBA) and the EU HR Excellence in Research Award. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10666650

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Engaging stakeholders and tackling resistances to mainstream gender equality in AHMSSBL research institutions

This toolkit consists of specific guidelines for an effective engagement of key 
stakeholders in setting-up a Gender Equality Plan, and to successfully deal with obstacles and resistances that might arise during this process. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10666658

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Toolkit for setting-up mentoring programs

This document can be used by HR professionals, Gender Equality Officers, researchers and educators interested in guidelines for setting up and structuring gender-sensitive mentoring programmes in AHMSSBL institutions. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10666674

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Assessment of Gender Equality Plans

Handbook for the implementation of Gender Equality Plans by AHMSSBL Institutions

This Handbook is conceived as a practical guide for developing and implementing Gender Equality Plans within Higher Education Institutions, specifically in Arts, Humanities, Medicine, Social Sciences, Business, and Law (AHMSSBL). Drawing from the research and results of the EQUAL4EUROPE project, it shares experiences, recommendations, and best practices gathered by the consortium and aims at offering a comprehensive perspective on adopting Gender Equality Plans, exploring the gender disparities within AHMSSBL institutions, and presenting the strategies deployed to mitigate the challenges faced by women. Each chapter presents the primary outcomes and recommendations derived from the EQUAL4EUROPE project and highlights best practices and replicable actions. It also underscores potential challenges that can slow the adoption of Gender Equality Plans or dilute their impact.

The document is intended for a diverse audience, encompassing individuals within higher education wishing to comprehend the significance and challenges of gender equality, gender equality managers needing practical tools and exemplary practices, and researchers and faculty members interested in integrating the gender dimension into their teaching and research.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10632263

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Policy brief: Impartial assessment methodology

This Policy Brief builds on the lessons learned from the implementation of the Impartial assessment methodology for monitoring and evaluating progress of Gender Equality Plans at AHMSSBL institutions developed in the framework of the EQUAL4EUROPE project. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10728783

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Policy brief: Evaluation of Methodology and Implementation of the Gender Audit Tool

The Gender Audit Tool was developed and implemented by Nehem as part of the EQUAL4EUROPE project, which was funded by the Horizon2020 programme. This Policy Brief reflects on the ways the methodology and the implementation varied in the six interested research partner institutions. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10728766

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Report on Policy Evaluation

This document provides some insights on how institutions can improve the workplace for all individuals, across genders and occupations. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10630696

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Equal4Europe Social Impact Assessment

This document examines the potential impact of the EQUAL4EUROPE project beyond the project consortium, focusing especially on the transferable activities to the higher education sector, as well as on those suitable for a wider sample of sectors. For instance, the introduction of policies and/or of roles and positions aimed at combatting any type of harassment, the development of work-life balance plans for employees for specific care duties, and of equal pay policies. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10632867

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Gender Audit Tool. European Policy Brief: Impartial Assessment Methodology for Evaluating GEPs

This toolkit outlines an impartial assessment methodology for monitoring and evaluating progress of Gender Equality Plans at AHMSSBL institutions. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10632831

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Internal Reporting tool for Gender Equality Plans

This practical tool can be employed by people implementing a Gender Equality Plan in their institution, and that would like to ensure that all the objectives and measures of the plan are duly accomplished, at the same time collecting useful information for the impact assessment. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10641384

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