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| Country: | Slovakia |
| National Context: | Download |
| Region: | Bratislava Self-governing Region |
| Name of Organisation: | Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava |
| Main implementing organisation: | Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava |
| Line of Business: | Slovak Academy of Sciences is the main research organisation in Slovakia covering all fields of basic research (56 scientific institutes) |
| Start Date: | 2005-01-01 |
| End Date: | Still Ongoing |
| All | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Employees | 2242 | 0 % |
| Number of Employees in Top Positions | 56 | 10.71 % |
| Transferability of the initiative | Programme is considered to be transferable to another context |
| Type of initiative referring to strategic objectives | individual |
| structural | |
| awareness | |
| gender in research |
| Type of initiative, located on the stage of career progression of women scientists | Qualification (Higher Education) |
| Career entry | |
| Professional experience |
- Low awareness and low participation of women in research decision-making
The main motivation for the establishment of the Committee came from a research project aimed at collecting data on women in the academy of sciences and publication resulting from a project (internal project initiated by a female member of the Presidium who was involved in similar activity at a European level): the establishment of the Committee followed the research activity more or less spontaneously.
None
Direct:
Indirect (through results, outcomes)
Who was responsible for conducting the initiative (function) and where was the initiative internally settled?
The Commission was initiated by researchers involved in conducting research on women and men in the academy, especially by one of them (female) active in the leadership of the academy.
The Board (Presidium), the Scientific Council and trade unions were those responsible for the establishment of the Committee. The Committee is one of other advisory bodies within the Slovak Academy of Sciences. These bodies are created by the Presidium and serve the Presidium and the Scientific Council. There are about 22 advisory and supportive bodies at the Academy now, for instance Grant agency of the Academy, Committee for Publications, Committee for Media, Committee for Education, Committee for International Collaboration, Ethical Committee, IPR Committee, Environmental Committee, Economic Committee, Accreditation Committee, Qualification Committee, Legislative Committee, etc.
How many people (men & women) conducted the initiative?
6 members
What resources (time and money) were available to implement the initiative?
There was no money allocated for the initiative.
How was the initiative internally managed and supervised?
How was the initiative implemented, what were the steps to be taken? What activities were carried out?
No special steps were taken – the establishment of the Committee was approved by the Presidium of the academy and further activities were managed by the Committee according to topical needs or issues.
Factors of success are difficult to prove; however, a slow increase of the number of women in leadership position in the academy decision-making bodies can be seen as a side effect of the Committee
Important aspects of the initiative that are identified as vital for conducting the initiative successfully.
Main barriers:
- lack of finances to support the Commission
- strong stereotypes existing in the academy on gender roles (there is a belief among men, and also among many women that all men and women have equal opportunities; and that there are more important issues and problems of science in Slovakia than gender issues)
- The Committee is now a well-established and accepted part of the advisory mechanisms at the academy and there is a strong chance of its survival – also thanks to external pressures from the EU on Slovak government, and numerous EU projects in this area. EU is not directly involved in the implementation of the Committee, but various campaigns and projects in which some employees of the academy take part, contribute to the growing importance and sustainability of the initiative.
- The establishment of the Committee is a good practice example for other research and academic institutions and can be transferable; however, so far it has not led to the introduction of any similar activity at other institutions
- The Slovak Academy of Sciences is the leading and most respectful research institution in Slovakia and as such has the most direct influence on the development in this area in any other R&D institutions. However, the initiative is not reflected in the overall strategy of the academy. Gender equality is not the objective mentioned in strategic documents of the academy. It is then questionable whether the initiative is not just a small demonstration of declaration of gender equality that has no real impact in practice.
The establishment of the Committee is an innovative step in the leading research organisation Slovakia despite the fact that it is only an advisory body.
Does the initiative contain any novel aspects related to the national context?
In the national context the initiative has been completely novel, introducing new topic, bringing new theoretical approaches in social sciences and influencing public opinion on gender equality.
• Partly – by mentioning in annual reports of SAV
The initiative is a good practice in the Slovak context because it is led by the key player in the R&D / academia that may have a positive impact on other similar organisations.
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