(for example, gender balance in research teams, evaluation panels, advisory boards, expert groups, and so forth) and a qualitative mandate, that is, inclusion of the gender dimension in research.

The EC Advisory Group on Gender in its December 2016 position paper differentiates inclusion of the gender dimension in research from gender balance, which is constituted as “… a dynamic concept that entails researchers taking into account sex and gender in the whole research process, when developing concepts and theories, formulating research questions, collecting and analyzing data using the analytical tools that are specific to each scientific area.”h The same document provides concrete advice on implementing the gender dimension in research for each H2020 Work Programme including Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies. Conceptually, the EC research framework moves beyond the numerical, sometimes token, inclusion of women in research and ensures that gender and the way it impacts research and its outcomes are meaningfully taken into consideration. On the implementation level, in the EU, Gender Equality bodies, agencies, and associations, both EC and non-EC related, have been founded, and initiatives such as prizes and awards and specifically dedicated funding schemes have been established.

Indicative gender equality-related
bodies, agencies, and associations in
Europe. The European Institute for
Gender Equality (EIGE) is an autono-
mous body of the EU with the goal to
strengthen and promote GE, includ-
ing gender mainstreaming in all
EU and the resulting national poli-
cies. EIGE has developed the Gender
Equality in Academia and Research
(GEAR) Tool that provides a step-by-
step guide to preparing GE plans for
academic and research organiza-
tions. The Helsinki Group on Gender
Equality in Research and Innovation,
a Standing Working Group of the ERA
Committee, brings together repre-
sentatives from Member States and
Associated Countries to advise the Eu-
ropean Commission on policies and
h https://bit.ly/2Tu8dgA
She Figures and its Statistical Corre-
spondents have published tri-annually
pan-European comparable statistics
on the current state of GE in R&I, thus
serving the crucial goal of monitoring
the progress toward GE and the impact
of related policies and initiatives.

Focusing specifically on STEM and ICT, the European Centre for Women and Technology (ECWT) is a multiple stakeholder partnership consisting of more than 130 organizations and a significant number of individuals from governments, business, academia, and non-profit sectors with high-level expertise in women in technology development. It aims at increasing the number of girls and women in STEM and integrating a critical mass of women in the design, research, innovation, production, and use of ICT in Europe. Additionally, the European Network for Women in Digital aims at enhancing women’s participation in digital studies and occupations across the EU.

An indicative list of non-EC related bodies, agencies, and associations promoting GE issues in the ICT field in Europe is presented in a report by Informatics Europe. 9 Among them, the Athena-SWAN Charter promotes practices to eliminate gender bias and foster an inclusive culture that values female staff, partially through the establishment of prizes and awards. It has been identified as a most effective approach since approximately 82% of U.K. research institutions have adapted their strategies to its Charter scheme. 10

Prizes and awards. The EU Prize for Women Innovators (https://bit. ly/2tfcrxq) is awarded every year to European women who founded a successful company and brought an innovation to market. The EC Call for Tech StartUps recognizes women who co-own a tech startup. Departments or faculties of EU universities or research institutes and labs that demonstrate a positive impact on women may be candidates for the MINERVA Informatics Europe Equality Award. European women in STEM may also apply for awards of international scope that recognize STEM-related achievements or for (European or international) STEM-related awards that target both genders.

Within the EU,
gender equality
in all aspects of
social, political,
and cultural
life, including
education and R&I,
is approached as
a matter of social
justice and fairness.