Policy Event

The ATHENA Policy Event will bring together policymakers, institutional leaders, and gender equality experts to explore innovative strategies for strengthening gender equality policies across Europe.

Drawing on its experience in developing and implementing Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) in research-performing and funding organizations, ATHENA has formulated key policy recommendations to address two critical gaps: demonstrating the link between gender equality and research performance and excellence, and ensuring a truly cohesive European Research Area where all research organizations—including smaller, younger, and remote institutions—receive adequate support in their journey toward gender equality and research excellence.

This high-level event is hosted by Member of the European Parliament Paulo do Nascimento Cabral and will provide a strategic platform for engaging decision-makers and stakeholders in shaping future gender equality policies.

Date
13th May

Location

European Parliament

Room: SPINELLI 00G – Le Grand Café

Google maps >

Objectives

Present key policy recommendations derived from ATHENA’s results from development and implementation of Gender Equality Plans in Widening countries.

Engage policymakers, researchers, and institutional representatives in discussions on best practices and strategies for gender equality in research.

Address current challenges and propose solutions to achieve gender equality across Europe, including in smaller, younger, and remote research organisations.

Reinforce the role of gender equality as a driver of research excellence and institutional success.

Agenda

09h00 – 09h20

Opening & keynote speech

Paulo do Nascimento Cabral – European Parliament

Joanna Drake – Deputy Director General, Directorate-General of Research and Innovation, European Commission

09h20 – 09h30

ATHENA – Implementing GEP in Widening countries

Overview of the project and expected outcomes.

Michelle Perello – ATHENA Project coordinator

09h30 – 11h00

Measuring Success: Gender Equality as a Performance Driver in Research

Presentation of ATHENA policy brief conclusions on the impact of gender equality on research performance. Debate on the importance of measuring such impact to support gender equality policies as competitiveness drivers.

Marc Angel – European Parliament

Michelle Perello – Consulta Europa Projects and Innovation

Eleonora Meleti – European Parliament, FEMM coordinator

Ana Kaminska, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce

Kateřina Svíčková – European Commission, Directorate General for Research and Innovation

Moderator: Gabriel Bianchi– Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences

11h00 – 11h30

Coffee break

11h30 – 13h00

Bridging Divides: Gender Equality for Younger, Rural and Remote Research Organizations

Presentation of ATHENA policy briefs on gender inequality in less developed, rural, or smaller research performing organizations. Emphasis on the need for context-specific strategies.

– Dr. Clelia Cascella, University of Manchester

– Prof. Maura Farrell – FLIARA Project Coordinator. University of Galway

– Dr. Laura de Dominicis, European Commission, Directorate General for Urban and Regional Policy

– Dr. Michelle Perello, Consulta Europa Projects and Innovation

Dan Rune Olsen – Young European Research University Network

Moderator: Gisela Nascimento, Regional Fund for Science and Technology

13h00 – 13h30

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Gisela Nascimento, Regional Fund for Science and Technology

Gabriel Bianchi, Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences
Paulo do Nascimento Cabral – European Parliament

Go to Top