Kifinfo: Gender balance and diversity in research
#MeToo kick starts Nordic research on sexual harassment
#MeToo kick starts Nordic research on sexual harassment
We have asked stakeholders in the sector about the status of research on sexual harassment in Nordic academia in the wake of #MeToo.
Research on sexual harassment:
Norway close behind Sweden
Norway close behind Sweden
A new working group will document the extent of sexual harassment in Norwegian academia. Now Sweden is encouraging Norway to follow its lead and set aside money for research in this area.
Time use in academia:
Men and women use their time differently, but everyone works too much
Men and women use their time differently, but everyone works too much
Male post-docs and PhD candidates work more than their female colleagues, but female professors work the most hours of all, according to the latest time use survey.
No more Norwegian input to the EU
No more Norwegian input to the EU
The Ministry of Education and Research will nonetheless assess whether a greater focus on gender balance and the gender dimension is needed in the EU’s new research programme. The Research Council and the KIF Committee are cautiously optimistic.
“Complete lack of due process for victims of sexual harassment”
“Complete lack of due process for victims of sexual harassment”
As it stands today, sexual harassment cases must be heard in the courts. Now many are applauding the decision to provide a low-threshold option that will ease the burden on victims.
Policy brief
In connection to the conference Creating a competitive edge through diversity, the KIF Committee published a policy brief summing up it’s work and pointing to challenges and opportunities ahead.
Newsletter
News from other media
The University of Oslo ramps up its fight against sexual harassment
The University of Oslo ramps up its fight against sexual harassment
For the first time ever, preventing sexual harassment is a main goal in the University of Oslo’s action plan for gender equality.
“Gender imbalance in science prizes sends a negative signal”
“Gender imbalance in science prizes sends a negative signal”
Just a handful of Nobel Laureates are women, and the Abel Prize has been awarded only to men. What is needed to eradicate the gender differences in awards for outstanding research?
EU urged to strengthen gender objectives
EU urged to strengthen gender objectives
The Research Council of Norway and the Committee for Gender Balance and Diversity in Research have written a letter to the Ministry of Education and Research. Their message is clear: Don’t forget gender equality.
“Need gender balance among centre directors”
“Need gender balance among centre directors”
Less than 15 percent of grant applications for Centres of Excellence designate a woman as the centre director. A new master’s thesis looks at gender differences in research funding.
The KIF Committee:
Eight recommendations for lasting change after #MeToo
Eight recommendations for lasting change after #MeToo
Minister of Children and Equality Linda Hofstad Helleland recently held an input meeting on the #MeToo movement. The KIF Committee has eight recommendations for the minister about the work to prevent sexual harassment.
Curt Rice wants just as many female as male Nobel candidates
Curt Rice wants just as many female as male Nobel candidates
We are a long way from closing the gender gap among Nobel Laureates. Curt Rice, Rector of the Oslo Metropolitan University and Chair of the KIF Committee, explained his solution for this to the Nobel Foundation in Sweden last week.
Better research thanks to more gender equal staff
Better research thanks to more gender equal staff
A new article shows that women more often apply gender perspectives in their research. A diverse research group leads to better and more accurate knowledge about the world, according to Mathias Wullum Nielsen.
#MeToo can’t change academia by itself
#MeToo can’t change academia by itself
The #MeToo movement is standing up to sexual harassment, also in academia and the research sector. “The movement reveals just the tip of several icebergs,” says Mons Bendixen, a Norwegian researcher.
Most read in 2017
Most read in 2017
Are you interested in male gender quotas, diversity management or why the Danes are at the bottom in gender equality in the Nordic region? Check out our top ten most read news articles.
Ethnicity cannot be counted
Ethnicity cannot be counted
Counting the number of women and men is considered to be rather unproblematic. But how do you measure diversity?
New Committee for Gender Balance and Diversity is ready to go
New Committee for Gender Balance and Diversity is ready to go
Both the new members and mandate are in place for the Committee for Gender Balance and Diversity in Research for 2018–2021. The current committee members will serve until the end of 2017.
Podcast: Can good leadership solve academia's gender and diversity problems?
Podcast: Can good leadership solve academia's gender and diversity problems?
Ever wondered what it takes to achieve a gender balanced and diverse staff? In academia, the most knowledge-intensive sector in society, the answers are hard to find. In this podcast, the experts discuss barriers and offer solutions.
“Banning the niqab sets back integration and gender equality”
“Banning the niqab sets back integration and gender equality”
The KIF Committee opposes the Norwegian Government’s proposal to ban full-face coverings in the higher education sector.
The Danes at the bottom in gender equality
The Danes at the bottom in gender equality
They have the worst track record in the Nordic region when it comes to gender balance in academia. What is it with Denmark?
What is diversity management?
What is diversity management?
A good diversity manager views differences as a resource, and is aware that employees may need adaptations, according to a Norwegian researcher.
Curt Rice:
“Better research with diversity and gender balance”
“Better research with diversity and gender balance”
Gender equality as an advantage in the increasingly tough international competition for research funding will be one of the topics at the KIF Committee’s conference on gender equality and diversity in Nordic research. The conference will be held in November.
Thanks to observers, committees gave more money to women
Thanks to observers, committees gave more money to women
There was something peculiar about the discussions when research grants were being awarded, according to the committee chair. Something did not feel right. Then the Swedish Research Council began sending observers to the meetings.
New anti-discrimination act with a twist
New anti-discrimination act with a twist
The Liberal Party ensured that the Norwegian Government got majority approval for its proposal for a joint anti-discrimination act, with a few exceptions. Most importantly, the employer’s reporting duty will continue, although it is unclear how.
Ethnic diversity challenges academia
Ethnic diversity challenges academia
It was high time to put more focus on ethnic diversity, according to stakeholders in academia. But there is scepticism about expanding the KIF Committee’s mandate even further.
"Not a one-man job"
"Not a one-man job"
The Research Council of Norway wants more women at the helm of the Centres of Excellence. But the centres themselves are afraid of losing the competition for funding if they choose a female director.