Addressing the European Parliament's STOA panel on Research & Innovation, Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva outlined a commitment to advancing gender equality in science and innovation within the EU. Zaharieva emphasized the continuing invisibility of women in research and innovation, citing examples such as AI voice assistants biased toward male voices and car safety tests historically using only male mannequins. She presented these as indicative of inefficiencies and risks linked to gender gaps in R&I.
Embedding Gender Equality in EU R&I Policies
The Commissioner highlighted policies currently requiring Horizon-funded researchers to include gender dimensions in their projects and mandates for Gender Equality Plans in beneficiary institutions. She pointed to progress such as gender parity in Horizon boards and a fourfold increase in women-led companies supported by the European Innovation Council accelerator over four years. However, Zaharieva acknowledged persistent disparities: women make up only one-third of researchers, hold 30% of top academic posts, and receive a marginal share of tech startup investments.
Concrete Proposal: New Action Plan
To address these challenges, Zaharieva announced the preparation of a new EU Action Plan for women in research and innovation, to be adopted next year. The plan promises specific measures, including combating harassment and gender-based violence, supporting women balancing family and scientific careers, and boosting funding for women-led startups and scaleups. An evidence-gathering call is planned by year-end to involve stakeholders.
Implications for Stakeholders
The plan would increase regulatory expectations on research institutions to implement gender equality programs, likely requiring resource allocation and cultural shifts. Women researchers and innovators stand to benefit from enhanced support, making EU R&I ecosystems more inclusive and competitive. Tech startups and venture entities could see shifts in funding allocation favoring women-led enterprises, possibly increasing competitiveness but also raising concerns about investment distribution. National authorities might be tasked with monitoring and enforcing compliance, adding to administrative responsibilities.
In summary, Zaharieva's speech signals a policy orientation towards strengthening gender equality through targeted, measurable actions within EU R&I frameworks. This shift represents a move to balance inclusiveness with competitiveness, with concrete institutional and financial support mechanisms aimed at transforming the landscape for women in science and innovation in Europe.