Community Mapping

ACT has carried out a Community Mapping survey to map actors –practitioners and experts- who are currently engaged in the advancement of gender equality objectives at universities, research centres and research funding organisations across Europe. The survey was conducted between November 2018 and February 2019 in order to gain knowledge on existing practices and collaborations regarding gender equality, their networks and the current needs at their institutions. Moreover, the survey aimed at identifying potential members of the Communities of Practice (CoP) that ACT supports as agents to develop gender equality actions in the European Research Area.

The survey mainly reached Higher Education Institutions, but also other research institutions, in almost all EU28 countries, which was the regional focus of the study. A Social Network Analysis (SNA) shows collaboration patterns in relation to gender equality and identifies central actors in the European landscape of research organisations. It also indicates regions that are so far disconnected from the European network and which are interested in becoming part of a Community of Practice (CoP).

Half of the respondents are researchers, one third have a leading position and nearly one third hold a position like equal opportunities officer – all these three groups overlap. The reported barriers and consequent needs of survey respondents provide important information for the ACT consortium to develop suitable and helpful tools to promote and strengthen collaborations as well as suggesting topics to be addressed in innovation events with diverse stakeholders.

Have a look at the survey results in the ACT Community Mapping Report: Cooperation, Barriers and Progress in Advancing Gender Equality in Research Organisations (deliverable 1.2 of the ACT project).

Below we showcase the map of actors currently involved in advancing gender equality in their institutions who agreed to be visible in the ACT website.