Introduction in internal research evaluation procedures of the consideration of maternity and parental leave periods

The main objective of this action is to grant an equal evaluation of the scientific production and research of both female and male UNIBO academic staff.

A more equal evaluation of both female and male academic staff’s research and scientific production; attention to the issue of equal assessment/evaluation as a structural gender policy within the RPO.

In 2017 University Research Evaluation (assessing 2016 Unibo academic staff’s scientific production) it has been introduced a clause that takes into account maternity leaves and time off work.This action was included in the GEP in terms of “retention” in order to keep attention on the issue of equal assessment/evaluation of UNIBO academic staff (researchers and professors) and to make this action structural within the organization. On the one hand, some UNIBO key actors and decision makers – namely: the Research Vice Rector; the Guarantee Committee for Equal Opportunities, Employee Wellbeing and Non Discrimination at Work (CUG); the Rector’s Delegate for Gender Equality; Human Resources Administrative Division – will have the responsibility to monitor annually the application and the retention of the evaluation criteria that consider maternity and parental leaves in the University Research Evaluation Board procedures. On the other hand, the University Research Evaluation Board have the responsibility to apply the criteria. The UNIBO Plotina Team will monitor the retention of the clause related to taking into consideration maternity and other laves in the evaluation, together with the Guarantee Committee for Equal Opportunities, Employee Wellbeing and Non Discrimination at Work (CUG); the Rector’s Delegate for Gender Equality.  The Human Resources Administrative Division will monitor the application of the clause, always involving the Research Vice Rector in the monitoring process.

The action allows a more equal research evaluation system. Women and men who decide to take parental leaves have more time to develop their research records which could lead to a better evaluation of their work. In the short term, women – who often take more caring responsibilities than men – can be evaluated on more equal grounds.

In the long term, men might be encouraged to take parental leaves and take more caring responsibilities. Women might feel more supported in taking family care responsibilities and might be more likely to be assessed positively (by evaluators acknowledging the time devoted on caring) leading to career development and progression.

Recruitment, career progression and retention

Positive action/policy

Alma Mater Studiorum – Universita Di Bologna (UNIBO)
Higher education institution

Researchers and professors