EATRIS Coordination and Support Office has published the second edition of the EATRIS Gender Equality Plan (2024-2026). The plan was developed by an internal taskforce, composed of EATRIS staff, and supported by the EATRIS Executive Board. The plan addresses the five action areas of gender equality recommended by the European Commission.
Promoting equality within a research infrastructure such as EATRIS benefits research and innovation by improving quality and relevance, attracting and retaining talent, and ensuring that everyone can maximise their potential. Building on the foundation established with the first GEP, EATRIS continues to strengthen the integration of gender equality across all levels of the organisation.
This second iteration of the EATRIS GEP builds on the achievements and lessons learned from the first plan (2022–2023). It proposes 21 measures organised under four overarching goals to further strengthen gender equality within the organisation, raise awareness across the EATRIS community, and lead by example. Key accomplishments from the first GEP include the introduction of updated policies (Teleworking Policy, Family Friendly Policy, and Undesirable Conduct Policy), enhanced gender data tracking systems, and the integration of gender equality principles across EATRIS operations and communications.
The EATRIS internal taskforce relied on the 5 areas of gender equality recommended by the European Commission to build the organisation’s gender audit, namely:
- Work-life balance and organisational culture
- Gender balance in leadership and decision-making
- Gender equality in recruitment and career progression
- Integration of the gender dimension into research and teaching content
- Measures against gender-based violence
Collaboration and Ongoing Commitment
EATRIS’ work on gender equality continues to benefit from collaboration with other European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs) through the ERIC Forum. As Task Leader for “Implementation of Gender Equality Plans and Gender Mainstreaming among the ERICs” within the ERIC Forum 2 project, EATRIS has taken a leading role in advancing gender equality across the European research infrastructure community. In 2024, EATRIS organised a workshop and a series of webinars for ERIC staff focusing on unconscious bias, workplace behaviour, and the integration of the sex and gender dimension in research. The materials developed through these initiatives will be incorporated into EATRIS’ staff training and onboarding programmes.
With GEP 2.0, EATRIS reaffirms its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and equitable working environment. Through continuous monitoring, transparent reporting, and collaborative engagement, the organisation aims to further strengthen gender balance, promote inclusivity, and serve as a role model within the European research and innovation landscape.
The implementation and monitoring of the EATRIS Gender Equality Plan (2024–2026) are overseen by the EATRIS Gender Equality Working Group, composed of six members of the Coordination and Support Office: Piret Baur (Communications Manager), Patricia Carvajal-Vallejos (Scientific Project Manager), Moa Drugge (Human Resources Officer), Eliis Keidong (Member Engagement Officer), Tomás Muñoz (Junior Legal Counsel), and Rosan Vegter (Scientific Lead Rare Diseases and Regulatory Advisory). The group is supported by the EATRIS Executive Board and continues the work initiated by the original task force established in 2021.
