Internal training seminars on the use of sex and gender perspective in research, to foster the acknowledgement of its economic, social and innovation value

The aim of this action is to raise awareness and encourage researchers and professors to adopt the integration of the sex-gender variables in their research practices.

Two training seminars were organised at Departmental and Institutional level: the 24th of November at the Engineering School, the 7th of December at the Social and Political Sciences Department. The expected impact of these seminars is the dissemination of gender aware research.

In collaboration with ARIC – Research Area Administrative Division – and with the Alma Gender IRT – UNIBO network of researchers and professors interested in gender studies and in gender equality more broadly – the PLOTINA Team fostered the creation of a multidisciplinary group of experts, composed by researchers and professors with STEM and SSH backgrounds. The group met twice and conducted internal seminars in Autumn 2017: the first seminar targeting Engineering researchers; the second one, targeting SSH researchers. The group discussed and negotiated the following aspects: a) elaboration of the agenda of the seminar and definition of contents and key-speakers; b) gathering of the teaching materials; C) elaboration of a checklist to involve participants at the end of the seminar. Engineering was identified as a privileged Department to start this action because, in this field, the integration of sex and gender in research is still at the beginning.

After the seminars, participants received a pdf document including all the teaching materials used by speakers.

27 Unibo staff members (researchers, professors, PhD students and technical and administrative staff) participated in both seminars. Speakers explained the methodology to integrate the gender/sex variables in research and distributed among participants several teaching materials. Participants had the occasion to enhance their knowledge on the use of the sex and gender perspective and on the funding opportunities provided by H2020 to increase gender equality and promote a gender-aware culture. An evaluation questionnaire was delivered to participants.

As for the seminar of the 24th of November at the Engineering School, all participants rated its contents as useful, interesting and stimulating. The 100% of participants think that the seminar’s contents can be applied in their field of research. As for the seminar of the 7th of December at the Social and Political Sciences Department all participants rated it as useful and stimulating, 25% of participants rated its contents as advanced, and 75% as interesting. For both seminars all participants answered that the information acquired met their expectations.

Utilising UNIBO human resources competences, skills and knowledge could enable UNIBO to make this action sustainable in the future.

Researchers and research: gender equality and sex and gender perspective

Training

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

Researchers/professors