Policy Towards Gender Equality in Science and Research

Abstract

The following article summarizes the meta-analysis of policies towards gender equality in science and research across Europe spanning the years 1980 to 2008. Observed overarching trends in the research literature are summarized, including the impact of higher education restructuring on gender equality in science and research and measures for advancing women's science careers. The article closes by stressing three key challenges: first, the integration of gender policy assessment with theories of social change; second, the gendering of innovation policy; and third, re-addressing the question of power and political struggle in relation to policy.