Gendered Innovation and International Community

Learn more about the history behind the Gender Summits, the need for a ‘systems change’, and the linkage between gender sensitive research and excellence in science by joining Prof. Dr Ruth Morgan in the third panel of this series. The panelists are Prof. Dr. Rana Dajani, Director and Chair of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World in Jordan and a Professor of Molecular Cell Biology; Elizabeth Pollitzer, founder of Portia and an evaluator and advisor to the European Commission; and Dr. Amal Amin Ibrahim Shendi, Associate Professor for Nanotechnology/Polymers at the National Research Center in Egypt.

Elizabeth Pollitzer traces the origins of the world-renowned Gender Summits which stemmed from the realization that the underrepresentation of women in science, not only impacted women, but affected the quality of the scientific research itself. Previously regarded as a HR issue, the recognition of this important fact is credited with the uptake of gendered research as an issue of importance by science leaders and institutions. 

Prof. Dr. Rana Dajani adds that within a tradition of male and Eurocentric approaches to science, gendered research is important also for spotlighting other marginalized groups in science and research. She champions a systems-change approach to ensure it is not only policy that is changed, but individual mindsets, as a way to ensure the implementation of those policies. Dr. Amal Amin Ibrahim Shendi echoes this view but emphasizes that gender sensitive and gender responsive science is neglected or championed depending on the strength of communication between society and the scientific community. 

Further Activities to have a look at