GENDER EQUALITY PLAN FOR R&I. OBSERVATIONS BASED ON THE INITIAL EXPERIENCES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SILESIA IN KATOWICE

Abstract

The European Union has for many years been firmly committed to promoting gender equality in research and innovation (R&I). Despite this, the sector is still characterised by the persistence of structural barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from developing equally. To counteract this, those applying for Horizon Europe funding today must have a Gender Equality Plan (GEP). This study aims to present the theoretical and practical issues related to developing and implementing a Gender Equality Plan in R&I. However, this issue poses a challenge for many R&I entities (especially in Poland). The plan should, on the one hand, meet the requirements of the European Commission and, on the other, be a specific strategy designed to meet particular needs. Thus, the article explains: what precisely a GEP is and, what elements it should contain, how to create such a plan step by step, the EU recommendations in this respect are confronted with the first experiences of the University of Silesia in Katowice, and finally, it proves that a GEP is a proactive measure aimed at eliminating gender discrimination and identifying potential violations. At the same time, if taken seriously, it also can contribute to the construction and development of a real equal treatment policy in a workplace such as an R&I entity. Due to the rather practical (sofar) aspect of the issue, the article is primarily based on EU and national documents (both binding and soft, strategic). At the same time, the literature analysis is only complementary.