CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

The PLOTINA Consortium called for contributions describing actions and efforts aiming at structural and cultural change to support gender equality that are transferable across organisations in one or more of the following themes:

• Operationalisation of gender equality efforts
• Gender equality plans design and implementation
• What works? What doesn’t work?
• Work and personal life integration
• Recruitment and career progression
• Gender imbalances in decision making bodies
• Theorising gender equality efforts
• Recruitment and career progression
• Gender imbalances in decision making bodies
• Biases in institutional processes and practices
• Intersectionality
• Feminist approaches to gender equality efforts
• Challenges of gender equality efforts
• Unintended consequences of gender equality efforts
• Disseminating gender equality efforts and changes

In the recent years, the initiatives to foster the integration of sex/gender variables in research design, implementation and analysis  have multiplied across Europe and all over the world.

As stated by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), “sex and gender are fundamental determinants of the organisation of life and society, recognising and taking these differences into account is paramount in the creation of scientific knowledge. Nevertheless, much research is still gender blind or gender-biased” (https://eige.europa.eu/gender-mainstreaming/concepts-and-definitions). This remains particularly true in STEMM disciplines, although some specific fields have acknowledged the higher quality of research results stemming from the consideration of the sex and gender variables. Much work is still needed to be undertaken and we welcomed contributions addressing the following themes and /or enhancing the theoretical debate in the following disciplinary fields:

2.1 Mainstreaming diversities in agro-food research See description

PLOTINA Consortium called for contributions exploring the relationship between diversity (e.g. gender, culture, age, etc.) and sustainable food systems, as well as the social effects of food related policies. In addition, this session welcomes contributions about the integration of the gender/sex variable in food research and its implications for the promotion of healthier and more sustainable food behaviours. PLOTINA welcomed contributions addressing the following questions and issues, but it also welcomes further suggestions:

• Diversity and food production
• Diversity and food perception, consumption and preference
• Integration of the variable gender/sex in food sensory research
• Implications of individual differences in food perception and preferences for personalised strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable food habits
• Food and agriculture-related policies and social impact
• Methodologies to assess sustainable policies
Further details

Diversity, in its multiple declinations (e.g. gender, culture, age, etc.), represents a crucial challenge for the transition towards sustainable food systems. Food production and consumption have multiple interactions with – and diverging effects on – gender equity, cultural diversity, age differences. Mainstreaming such issues in agro-food research, both in terms of topics and methodologies, seems not only appropriate but also timely, if we want to promote positive changes in our societies. Likewise, a profound understanding of the social impacts of food-related policies cannot be achieved without a reliable quantification of their effects. This session provided examples of current developments within food studies related to the various dimensions of diversity, focusing on the assessment of social impacts of food systems and related methodologies. In addition, this session welcomed contributions in which the integration of the gender/sex variable will be questioned, both in terms of methodology and of scientific and societal implications. The contribution of the gender variable in food preferences and perception was discussed fostering the disaggregation of the data by gender to allow a deeper understanding of the specificity of each gender. This approach will promote the development of personalized strategies and guidelines to help the adoption, from women and men, of specific healthier and more sustainable dietary habits, considering the fundamental aspect of their diversity.

2.2 Gender in social sciences and humanities See description

The PLOTINA Consortium called for contributions regarding the integration of sex and gender dimensions in Social Sciences and Humanities. PLOTINA welcomed contributions on the following topics:

• Gender non-conforming subjects
• Gender sensitive and gender-blind legal approach
• Geography of inequality
• Gender and urban spaces
• Genderizing posthumanism and cultural ecology
• Genderizing media and cultural studies
• Intersectionality
Further details

The PLOTINA Consortium called for contributions regarding the integration of sex and gender dimensions in social sciences and humanities. PLOTINA welcomed contributions addressing the following questions and issues, but it also welcomes further suggestions:

• How a gender approach allows new understandings of well-known phenomena and cultural productions? How to re-read history, art, philosophy and literature from within a gender perspective?
• How women and gender non-conforming subjects have been excluded from knowledge production? Which strategies have they elaborated to participate in science and cultural productions?
• How gender relations have varied and altered through space? How gender and sex are related to new geographies of inequality and mobility?
• How urban spaces can be re-thought and re-used within a gender perspective?
• How it is possible to genderize legal systems and contrast the gender-blind approach in law?
• How media and cultural studies can enlarge and deepen the analysis of new digital products and relations by the integration of sex and gender variables?
• How perspectives on posthuman issues and cultural ecology can be re-read within a gender and sex variable?
• How gender interacts with ethnicity, social classes, and other categories in order to fight discriminations and to foster interculturality?

2.3 Economics, business and finance See description

The PLOTINA Consortium called for contributions aiming to discuss and advance the  research in economics, business and finance from a gender perspective. We appealed to contributions from these disciplines or multidisciplinary contributions with theoretical, methodological or empirical approaches. PLOTINA welcomed contributions on the following topics, but other topics will be considered:

• Women in economic governance, leadership and entrepreneurship
• Labor market: “Glass ceilings”, “Stone Floors” and other issues
• Household economics and gender
• Economic impact of financial inclusion of w
• Economics of education and gender
• Women as drivers of local transformation
• Gender discrimination, intersectionality and public policies and actions
• Women in research (Economics, Business and Finance): facts and myths
• Economic status, welfare and gender in the European Union
• Feminist perspectives on economic, business and finance theories
Further details

Some possible research questions were:

• In high and medium technology industries in EU, how do women participate in governance?
• What are the institutional and individual factors that affect the career progress of women and men? How do these factors affect gender pay gap?
• How is intra-household economic power measured? How and why are economic and financial intra-household decisions shared (or not) among couples?
• How does the financial inclusion of women impacts on development and growth? What are the constrains to the financial inclusion of women?
• What are the reasons for the gender gap in university enrolment and graduation? How does it influence the scientific outputs of the RPOs?
• How and why is the local economic transformation dependent on women role and power?
• Intersectionality in the National Gender Equality Plans in the EU: methods for identification.
• Do men and women vary in their research collaboration patterns and networks?
• Women’s economic and social progress in the EU: remarkable and sustainable changes?

2.4 Design and engineering See description

PLOTINA Consortium was interested in getting contributions regarding the influence of sex and gender in the design and engineering of new product and services. Considering that the adequate inclusion of sex and gender can enhance an inclusive design approach and improve the innovation processes in general.

• Gender-inclusive design
• Gendered design
• Gender and design
• Gender-neutral design
• Unisex design
• Gendered objects
• Gendered innovations
• Gendered technology
• Gender and technology
• Feminist technology

2.5 Gender-inclusive material sciences and engineering See description

The PLOTINA Consortium called for contributions related to materials science and engineering, whatever related to gender perspective and are sustainable. The attitude to various attributes such as design, colour, touch, and odour is, in fact, proven to be gender-sensitive. Many choices are therefore related to sex/gender of the decision maker. Can this become a deciding factor for introduction of sustainable solutions in everyday life, such as fully degradable packaging, renewable / zero-carbon solutions, zero-waste, circular / sustainable economy? Is this included in current materials science and engineering, and how? Other concepts of gender-sensitive materials science and engineering were also welcome.

• Gender-sensitive research
• Materials science
• Engineering
• Sustainability
Further details

Materials science and engineering help to create, produce and maintain the material world and living goods. In addition, these are the ground for detrimental influences on environment and finally also contribute to climate changes. Many mitigation actions are subject to research, often providing new materials, applications, different economy approaches etc. Will these actions be successful if planned as gender-neutral? How important is gender-sensitive research in materials science and engineering where changes are essential and high acceptance of novelties is urgent?

Inclusion of a sex/gender perspective in the STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) workforce is welcome for gender-balance of research teams which enables similar career paths. Moreover, there are also other challenges. For example, attitude to various attributes such as design, colour, touch, and odour is gender-sensitive. Could this also influence successful launching of new sustainable materials and engineering products while many choices are related to sex/gender of the decision maker? Would this be a deciding factor for introduction of sustainable solutions in everyday life, such as using of fully degradable packaging, request and use of renewable / zero-carbon solutions, approaching zero-waste, applying circular and sustainable economy? Is this included in current materials science and engineering, and how?

PLOTINA welcomed contributions related to materials science and engineering, whatever related to gender perspective and are sustainable. The concerns mentioned above are meant as a starting point for brainstorming.

2.6 Gender and (mental) health See description

There is a disparity between genders in life expectancy, healthy-life years and health-behaviours as well as mortality and morbidity risk. On average, women live longer, but spend fewer years in good health due to specific underlying causes which arise, at least partially, from gender inequality. When individuals or groups do not conform to established gender norms (including concepts of being masculine or feminine), roles, responsibilities or relations, they often face stigma, discriminatory practices, or social exclusion—all of which can adversely affect health in several ways. What are the main protective and risk factors for mental health in a gender-oriented perspective? Which are the best gender-sensitive health-promotion and mental-disorders prevention strategies? How we should develop a gender competent organization of (mental) health systems?
The PLOTINA Consortium was interested in getting contributions addressing the following research topic:
– Gender-sensitive mental health
– Gender oriented mental health promotion
– Gender competent health services organization

Contributions from different disciplines and prospective were welcome.

Further details

Gender is an important determinant of not only illness and symptom presentation but also of access to healthcare, response to treatment and careers in health systems. Gender also refers to the relationships between people, and the distribution of power in those relationships. Gender is not static but changes across time and place. Gender equality is a fundamental human right, grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is core to achieving all Sustainable Development Goals. Specifically, gender equality refers to equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all people. “It is a necessary foundation for a world that is sustainable, peaceful, prosperous, healthy, and where no- one is left behind” [1]. In the absence of gender equality, several factors arise which have adverse effects on women’s well-being and long-term health as well as their career development [2]. These factors include gender role conflicts, heavy total workload and additional unpaid work. Unemployment and lower occupational and social status of women, which stems from female labour market exclusion, result in a wide range of negative outcomes in the realm of developmental and child health. The unemployment rate of women is 30%, almost double that of men which is 17%; a fifth of women living in poverty are not active in the labour market due to domestic and caretaking responsibilities [3]. Women who do participate in the labour market face a pay gap. This gender-based disparity in pay for the same work also affects pensions, meaning that the inequality persists throughout working years and into retirement [3]. The gender gap in pensions is estimated at 38% for the EU27 [3]. The accumulation of gender-based discrimination over their lifetimes renders older women particularly vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion, creating a risk for income barriers to healthcare [3]. Unsurprisingly, gender also determines career pathways within health systems [1]. “Women make up over 70% of the paid health workforce in many countries, and are often the main providers of home and community-based care as well as unpaid care. However, women are under-represented in management and decision-making positions within health systems. As a result, the gender pay gap in the health and social sectors is even bigger than the overall gap of 20%. For these fields, the average pay difference between genders is 26% in high-income countries and 29% in upper-middle income countries [1]. Moreover, gender biases, physical and sexual violence and harassment remain important challenges for workers in the health and social sectors.

Therefore, future generations of medical doctors and healthcare workers should be trained to develop an awareness of gender differences in health promotion and disease prevention as well as in organizations of health systems. We aim to discuss the major health problems, the protective and risk factors for health and the organization of care in a gender-oriented perspective

1. WHO gender and health. 2018. http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/gender.
2. Payne S. How can gender equity be addressed through health systems? WHO Regional Office

for Europe and European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. 2009. ISSN 1997-8065.

3. EuroHealthNet. Gender equality and health POLICY PRÉCIS. Data from the European

Institute for Gender Equality’s Gender Equality Index 20. https://eurohealthnet.eu/media/%20news-releases/impact-gender-inequality-health.

In relation to the integration of sex/gender variables in research methods and design, the PLOTINA Consortium relied on the tenets elaborated in the Gendered Innovation Project framework. The case studies reported (https://genderedinnovations.stanford.edu) may help provide a framework for new contributions to the PLOTINA conference.

PLOTINA Consortium was interested in getting contributions regarding the inclusion of gender equality issues and of sex/gender variables in teaching curricula and, specifically, contributions aimed at exploring, among others, the following sub-themes:

• Integrating inclusive and intersectional perspectives into teaching curricula (in SSH and STEMM disciplines): strategies and lesson learned
• Raising future generations’ awareness of gender equality and diversity management: strategies, challenges and best practices
• How to pursue gender-sensitive approaches to teaching

The PLOTINA Consortium was interested in contributions on indicators measuring and tools monitoring gender equality within organisations which could be transferable across Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) such as universities. Possible themes and aspects of interest were (though not to be regarded as an exhaustive list):

• Design and implementation of gender reports
• Challenges, lessons learnt and positive impact of adopting a gender report
• Challenges faced in elaborating visualisation tools
• Aspects of dissemination and transferability of indicators and monitoring tools in RPOs
• Resistance/opposition and enabling factors to introducing monitoring tools
• Effects of the introduction of gender equality monitoring tools on organisational culture
• Case studies of usage of indicators and other monitoring tools for assessing gender equality by governing bodies to design and monitor impacts of actions
• Proposition of gender equality indices for the purposes of comparison and ranking of RPOs
• Cross-country comparison of empirical data on glass ceiling effect