Rationale, definition and objectives
Rationale for the INTEGER project
Increasing the participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and promoting gender equality is vital for strengthening the competiveness of European research. A greater involvement by women in STEM research and equal possibilities for professional development to men and women will not only provide increased numbers of skilled researchers in our institutions, but critically will add a different perspective to STEM research, increasing diversity, leading to enhanced creativity and ultimately greater innovation.
Transformational change: definition
Transformational Change is a strategic means by which all decisions made within institutions consider men and women research staff and how the decisions made may affect and impact each group. Through operating transformational change, research institutions demonstrate significant gender awareness and competency to use gender as a resource to create new knowledge and stimulate innovation by modernizing their organizational culture.
Objectives of INTEGER
The ultimate objective of the change process is to work towards improved decision-making by incorporating gender, and balanced representation of both sexes in all staff categories of the institution.
Operating transformational change effectively demands awareness of the statistical base, periodical examination of institutional processes (such as recruitment, promotion, evaluation, retention), the willingness at the top of the institution to open up discussion and sustain the process of self-study and change, and support the achievement of organizational goals within a supportive climate.
Design and dissemination of guidance material based on lessons learned, in an effort to support other eu ropean institutions aiming for structural transformation to enhance gender equality and research excellence, will also be addressed by the project.