As Europe strengthens its commitment to gender equality in research and innovation, the ATHENA project is set to deliver key policy recommendations for during a high-level Policy Event at the European Parliament, on 13 May 2025, followed by its Final Conference in Brussels, on 14 May 2025.
These events will bring together policymakers, researchers, and institutional leaders to foster evidence-based policies that drive gender equality and research excellence within research-performing and funding organisations. ATHENA has addressed systemic barriers by implementing Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) in eight institutions across Europe, highlighting the importance of monitoring gender progress and embedding diversity and inclusion in research governance.
“The ATHENA project has demonstrated that gender equality is not only a fundamental value but also a key factor in strengthening research performance and institutional success,” said Michelle Perello, Project Coordinator at Consulta Europa. “Through these final events, we aim to ensure that the lessons learned, and best practices developed over the past four years are translated into concrete policies that will shape the future of European research.”
The Policy Event at the European Parliament will serve as a platform to present ATHENA’s key policy briefs, which synthesise the project’s insights and experiences into actionable recommendations. These resources will guide policymakers, research institutions, and funding bodies in embedding gender equality within research governance and funding policies.
Topics will include measuring gender equality’s impact on research excellence and addressing disparities in smaller, younger, and remote research institutions. “Our goal is to ensure that no research institution is left behind in the push for gender equality,” Perello stated. “From well-established universities to emerging institutions in remote regions, every organisation must have the tools and policies in place to foster inclusive research environments.”
Michelle Perello, ATHENA Project Coordinator at Consulta Europa, also highlighted the project’s broader impact: “ATHENA has laid a foundation for sustainable gender equality in research institutions across Europe. By addressing both institutional and cultural aspects and engaging the entire research community in the implementation of GEPs, we are ensuring that all researchers, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to Europe’s innovation and progress.”
The Final Conference will mark the culmination of the ATHENA project, bringing together with ATHENA, representatives of sister projects and other gender experts, to reflect on its achievements and explore pathways for sustaining gender equality initiatives. The conference will feature discussions on the importance of data collection, capacity-building initiatives, and strategies for embedding gender equality into institutional frameworks.
Join ATHENA’s Final Events to explore key policy recommendations and contribute to shaping a more inclusive research landscape in Europe.
- Registration: https://bit.ly/athenaeventregistration