Support to the implementation of an EU Manifesto for STE(A)M education and research and innovation career paths to tackle gender inequalities in the ERA

Topic description

ExpectedOutcome:

Projects are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:

• Common principles and joint commitment on gender-inclusive STEAM education, research and innovation among a wide range of R&I actors in Member States and Associated Countries;
• Network of STEM-oriented businesses, secondary and higher education institutions, research organisations, informal science education establishments, and civil society organisations, supporting knowledge sharing, mutual learning and structural change towards gender equality and diversity at their organisations;
• Increased cooperation between relevant R&I actors from academia, the private sector, and national administrations to foster women and girls’ participation in STEM studies and careers through a STEAM approach.

Persisting gender gaps, particularly in STEM fields, are hindering the potential of the European Research Area (ERA) to meet pressing challenges like the green and digital transitions. According to She Figures 2021, women outnumber men at Bachelor and Master levels overall, but are still underrepresented as doctoral graduates in STEM fields, including physical sciences (38%), ICT (20.8%), engineering (27%), and mathematics (32.5%).^[1] In order to increase the uptake in scientific careers, feed the talent pipeline, and counteract women’s underrepresentation, a STEAM approach, featuring creative thinking, applied arts (the “A” in STEAM), and the teaching of science in political, environmental, socio-economic and cultural contexts, can prove particularly useful. By highlighting the social impact and market relevance of research and innovation, the STEAM approach would also strengthen the appeal of scientific careers.

In line with the European Strategy for Universities and the Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027^[2], this action aims to support the cooperation between STEM-oriented businesses, secondary and higher education institutions, research organisations, as well as informal science education establishments, NGOs, and civil society organisations, committed to fostering gender-inclusive career paths in the STEM fields through a STEAM^[3] approach.

More specifically, the action should ensure the implementation of a European Manifesto for STEAM education and career paths to tackle gender inequalities among relevant R&I actors, through the adoption of common principles and actions on gender-inclusive STEAM education, research and innovation. Particular attention should also be paid to addressing bottleneck moments and structural barriers in young researchers’ careers. The implementation of this manifesto should build on the STE(A)M roadmap(s) for science education, developed by projects under the call topic HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ERA-01-70, and seek synergies with the ERA Talent Platform initiative and the Digital Education Hubs.

To support relevant R&I actors, including umbrella organisations, with the implementation of an EU Manifesto for STEAM education to tackle gender inequalities, proposals are expected to cover the following:

• Development of a network of national R&I and education actors from Member States and Associated Countries, involved in STEAM education, research and innovation, to support best practice sharing, mutual learning, and transformative actions to tackle gender inequalities at education institutions and R&I organisations;
• Setting-up of principles and a joint commitment on gender equality and diversity in STEM education, research and innovation at organisational level, in line with the ERA, EEA and the European Innovation Agenda;
• Communication and awareness-raising on the deconstruction of gender stereotypes and unconscious biases in science and the benefit of STEAM education, research and innovation;
• Support STEM skills-development and learning opportunities for all genders through the use of arts, social sciences and humanities, including e.g., mentoring sessions, non-cost summer schools, workshops, and traineeship opportunities, and involving inter alia start-ups, incubators, innovative industries, universities, schools, science and technology museums etc;
• Support teachers’ and practitioners’ skills development on gender-responsive STEAM education to increase knowledge and expertise on STEAM approaches and enable them to act as ambassadors for the implementation of the Manifesto and the innovative approaches produced under this action.

Particular attention should be given to targeting and involving a diverse range of young women and girls, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g., ethnic minorities, people with migration background, or with disability, children from poor families or of low qualified parents). Geographically balanced participation is also important.

Proposals are expected to seek collaboration with the living labs for gender-responsive innovation, funded under the call HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-ERA-01-80, and build on the outcomes of projects funded under call topic Horizon SwafS-26-2020 ‘Innovators of the future: bridging the gender gap^[4], as well as gender equality plan implementing projects. Proposals should also take into account project results, funded under earlier Framework Programmes (e.g., HYPATIA, SPARKS and Scientix 4)^[5].

[1] European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, She Figures 2021: gender in research and innovation: statistics and indicators, Publications Office, 2021, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/06090

[2] Commission Communication on a European Strategy for Universities, 4.2 Foster diversity, inclusiveness and gender equality, https://education.ec.europa.eu/document/commission-communication-on-a-european-strategy-for-universities; Digital Education Action Plan 2021 -2027, Action 13: Women participation in STEM, https://education.ec.europa.eu/focus-topics/digital/education-action-plan.

[3] Science, technology, engineering, (the arts) and mathematics (STEAM) is a multidisciplinary set of approaches to education removing traditional barriers between subjects and disciplines to connect STEM and ICT education with the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

[4] Shemakes.EU and EQUALS-EU

[5] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/665566; https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/665825; https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101000063