ncp academy helps ncps…

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Webinar 15/06/2016

Gender Aspects in Horizon 2020

Basic module

The Brussels Enterprise Agency

NCP Academy – Partner

© the Brussels Enterprise Agency – 2016 1

NCP Academy helps NCPs…

• Through a new and integrated high quality training of Horizon 2020 advisors, including training courses on cross-cutting aspectsBoth on-site and webinars

• By bringing together NCP Coordinators and NCPs for Legal & Financial aspects of H2020 to share knowledge and best practices

• Therefore contributing to

• further professionalisation of NCP services across Europe

• simplify access to H2020 calls

© the Brussels Enterprise Agency 2016 2

This project has received funding from the European Union’s

Horizon 2020 research and innovation programmewww.ncpacademy.eu

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Who am I to talk about this ?

[email protected]

© the Brussels Enterprise Agency 2016

How I contribute to this webinar of

Partner of NCP Academy - Complementary viewpoints

What will we achieve today

• Understand the context

• Know the legal requirements

• Identify gender-flagged topics

• Tips and tools to write a gender-conscious proposal


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What will be addressed next

• Going further than the basic requirements

• Advanced webinar 26 October 2016 10:30am (tbc)

• The added value of gendered research and innovation

• Methods of gendered innovation

• How to tackle stereotypes


A second affiliation

Secretary of Belgian Women in Science association: aim to

achieving equal participation of women and men, diversity

promotes scientific excellence

www.bewise.be

events, mentoring and projects in French, Dutch & English


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My background

� Chemical sciences

� Previously SME Research &

Innovation proposal writer and

project coordinator including FP7

(energy and environment)

� Partner in several H2020 projects

Complementary standpoints, personal view


What am I talking about

Sex refers to biological qualities characteristic of women and men. Classification of living things as male, female and inter-sexed

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Gender, a socio-cultural process, refers to cultural and social attitudes that together shape and sanction "feminine" and "masculine" behaviors, products, technologies, environments, and knowledge


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Sex or gender analysis ?

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“Sex Differences in Drivers’ Needs” : biological differences between women and men that are important in automotive design (ex women’s potential to be pregnant/seatbelts, differences overall weight/airbags)

“Gender Differences in Drivers’ Needs” how women and men use vehicles differently because of gender relations (ex women typically perform more childcare → more likely to transport children in vehicles)


Sex and gender factors interact

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• An observed difference between men and women rarely involves only sex and not gender

• Gender rarely operates outside of the context of sex

Osteoporosis risk is not only related to biological sex but

may also result in part from gendered behaviours (diet,

sun exposure, weight-bearing exercise)


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Embrace complexity

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The nature of interactions between gender

and sex varies depending on the research

question and other factors (socioeconomic

status, geographic location, lifestyle…)


In some cultures, differences in rates of education

between boys and girls are influenced by biological sex

differences (lack clean latrines at puberty)

An enriched analysis

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• How agricultural workers are exposed to chemicals: sex + socioeconomics + gendered division of labour + geographical location interact in determining this

• Potential effects of environmental chemicals on human reproductive health have been studied mainly in men

• New research field: design experiments to close the knowledge gap


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Overcome reluctancy

Your client may find this

Embarrassing

Annoying

Pointless

Difficult

New

Inappropriate

For feminists only

Anecdotic…


Address the case and give them at least 5 reasons to be interested

Increase gender

knowledge

Increase gender

balance in Institutions

Increase gender

balance in research

teams

Currently: increase women's

participation at all levels


Strategic Approaches in H2020

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Promote gender

equality in decision-

taking© the Brussels Enterprise Agency 2016

Increase gender

knowledge

Increase gender


Increase gender

balance in research

teams

Stimulate excellence in science and technology by

integrating sex and gender analysis into

research© the Brussels Enterprise Agency 2016

Increase gender

knowledge

Increase gender


Increase gender

balance in research

teams

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Gender balance: not new

• 1999 (sic!) FP5

European Commission commits to develop a coherent

approach towards promoting women in research financed

by the European Union

• Aim: achieve at least a 40% representation of women in

Marie Curie fellowships, Advisory Groups, Assessment

Panels and Monitoring Panels of FP5

Limited evolution since


• Target 40% for all groups, panels, committees and projects

• Target, not compulsory, not quota

Between 2000 and 2013

FP6 starts FP7 ends

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• Overall participants 26,95% women in funded projects

• Contact persons for scientific aspects 21%

• Fellow of Marie Curie actions 36,5%

• ERC grant holders 25% Starting & 13% Advanced

• ERC panels members 31% Starting & 25% Advanced

• Registered evaluation experts 40,5%

• 14 Thematic advisory groups 33%

• Programme Committees members 38%

• ERC Scientific Council 32%

• European Research Area Board 45,5%

Disparities

(thematic, seniority)

&

we are not there yet!


Actual figures FP7

• Promotion of gender equality in research and innovation

• Gender balance in research teams at all levels

• Aim: achieve at least a 40% representation of the under-

represented in each group and panel, 50% in advisory

groups

• Each group includes at least one expert with gender

expertise, all gender experts meet regularly

(self-learning mechanism)


H2020 fine-tuning

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Gender dimension in funded projects (non flagged topics)


H2020 monitoring - 1

Gender dimension in funded projects (flagged topics)

Serious room for improvement

for proposers, evaluators & the EC/Agencies


H2020 monitoring - 2

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H2020 Monitoring Report 2014

23 © the Brussels Enterprise Agency 2016

4 indicators defined

• % women participants in projects

• % women project coordinators

• % women in advisory groups, experts groups,

evaluation panels, experts, etc

• % projects taking into account gender

dimension in R&I content

Only 1 set of data currently available

• Explain why gender matters in your area (added value

creativity, excellence, return on investment)

• Make it explicit

• Build on existing knowledge on gender and indicate

which new gender aspects should be explored

• Gender implies a multi-disciplinary approach

• Include gender in the impact statement (impact boys

& girls, women & men, gender relations, socio-

economic positions, status women & men…)


Recommendations

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Topics with a gender wording


Work programmes 2016-2017 Topics in WPTopics with gender

wording

EXCELLENT SCIENCE

Future and emerging technologies 11 2

European Research Infrastructures (including e-infrastructures) 15 2

INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP

Leadership in eanbling and industrial technologies 113 14

Access to Risk Finance 1 1

Innovation in SMEs 21 0

SOCIETAL CHALLENGES

Health, demographic change and well-being 37 21

Food security, agriculture, water research and the bioeconomy 83 13

Secure, clean and efficient energy (incl. samrt cities) 61 5

Smart, green and integrated transport 55 14

Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials 29 2

Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovatibe and reflective societies 39 14

Secure societies - Protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens 30 4

Spreading excellence and widening participation 5 0

Cross-cutting activities 43 4

Science with a for society 25 12

TOTAL SCREENED 568 108

19% topics include

gender wording

Climate topic with gender

• SC5-06-2016-2017 pathway toward decarbonisation / managing technology transition“Implications of deep decarbonisation on various social groups (including gender aspects)”

• Possibly: reliance on domestic renewable energy sources & women’s role in energy economies & behaviour changes

Great opportunity for multi-disciplinary research, true integration of social sciences and humanities (SSH)


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Topics promoting gender equality


funding min-max budget topic budget

Deadline 30/08/2016 scheme [mio €] [mio €]

SwafS-02-2016Promoting Gender equality in H2020 and the ERA

ERA-NET

Cofund 5.0 5.0

Swafs-03-2016 Support to research organisations to implement gender equality plans CSA 1.5-2.0 3.9

Swafs-19-2016

Networking of National representatives and resources centres on

Gender in R&I CSA 1.95 1.95

Deadline 30/08/2017

Swafs-03-2017 Support to research organisations to implement gender equality plans CSA 1.5-2.0 3.9

Swafs-08-2017 European Community of Practice to support institutional change CSA 3.0 3.0

• NCP Coordinators are responsible for gender equality

issues and will help applicants/direct them to useful

resources

• Consult and ask your NCP Coordinator !


H2020 specific emphasis

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• Gender awareness training can be an eligible activity

of projects

Specific gender studies too

Follow usual rules i.e. in connection with the action,

necessary for the action, foreseen in budget,

actually incurred during action

• Include this it at proposal stage if relevant !


H2020 specific emphasis

Tips for proposers

• Check if gender dimension is mentioned in topic

http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/ftags/gender.html#c,topics=flags/s/Gender/1/1&+callStatus/asc

If mentioned, it MUST be addressed


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Tips for proposers

• Read the WP Introduction for hints


Tips for proposers

• Get thematic advice and ideas from the Advisory Group on Gender

http://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regexpert/index.cfm?do=groupDetail.groupDetailDoc&id=18892&no=1


• Climate: consider gendered social roles, communication practices, power issues - Raw materials: attitudes toward recycling

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Internet of things / emergency mobile assistance for elderly :

Device not only in pockets (men) but also in purse (women)


The ultimate counter-example

www.ncpbrussels.be www.bewise.be © BeWiSe & impulse.brussels

Beware : legal constraint

Submitting a proposal means that Partners accept and will comply with gender-related requirements defined by the EC


Why bother ? № 1: no choice

Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme

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Best efforts obligation + Risk of grant reduction

If balanced participation is not achieved in the project team despite active efforts : explain whyin first and final technical reports


Legal Requirements from the Grant Agreement

Check the annotated Grant Agreement

Ask your Legal & Financial NCP / NCP Coordinator for a refresh


Concrete measures

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Employers and/or funders should aim for a representative gender balance at all levels of staffEqual opportunity policy at all careers stages without taking precedence over quality and competence criteriaTo ensure equal treatment, selection and evaluation committees should have an adequate gender balance

Selection panels/committees

should bring together diverse

expertise and competences

and have an adequate gender

balance

Career breaks or variations in

the chronological order of CVs

should not be penalised


Other legal requirement

Best efforts obligation + Risk of grant reduction

� Remind your organisation

� Keep documentation on measures taken

Suggestions for all Partners

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Administrative part - Section 4 : gender balance in

team

Technical annex – Excellence : gender research dimension


At proposal stage

How evaluators handle ex aequo proposals

1st• Proposals addressing topics not covered by more highly ranked proposals

Then• Excellence

(for Innovation Actions & SME instrument: Impact before Excellence)

Then• Impact

Then• Size of budget reserved for SME

Then• Gender balance amongst the personnel named in the proposal

Then• Other criteria to be considered if needed


Gender and evaluation

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Gender aspects in H2020

http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/cross-cutting-issues/gender_en.htm

© impulse.brussels 201441

An obligationto aim for

gender equality


All Proposers & Beneficiaries have

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Ex-aequoproposals:

good gender balance

ranked higher


Extra incentive

Contribute to gendered

innovation


Obvious for researchers

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Contribute to gender

equality


Might be interested


• your proposal could be ranked higher

• gendered innovations can open new markets

• diversity is a source of excellence

• researchers are curious by nature…

• last but not least: you have to comply with H2020

rules on gender

5 reasons to be interestedin gender aspects

ncp academy helps ncps…

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