The Challenge of Studying the Institutionalization of Gender Equality in European Research Performing Organizations

Abstract

Gender equality plans (GEPs) are key instruments in gender equality policy. The past decade has seen the emergence of numerous national initiatives mandating that to be eligible for research funding, organizations must have in place a GEP that meets specific process- and content-related requirements. Since 2022, this eligibility criterion also applies to research funding under the European Union’s Horizon Europe program. Investigating the institutionalization of gender equality through GEPs across European research performing organizations (RPOs) nonetheless remains a methodological challenge. In this paper, we use neo-institutional perspectives and the “theory of change” methodological framework and combine reactive and non-reactive data with aggregated statistical data. Our approach focuses on three key aspects of institutionalization: the degree of implementation of gender equality activities, enabling factors for GEPs, and perceived changes. Our findings suggest that the existence of a GEP favors the institutionalization of gender equality activities in RPOs across Europe; however, national specificities also need to be considered. The findings and the methodological approach will be of value to policymakers, politicians, and researchers.

Bibliographie: Löther, Andrea/Karataş, Mazlum/Weber, Lena: The Challenge of Studying the Institutionalization of Gender Equality in European Research Performing Organizations, Femina Politica – Zeitschrift für feministische Politikwissenschaft, 1-2026, S. 22-36.