FP6 priority

1.1.7   Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge-based society

1.7.1

Title of the proposal

Gender mainstream equality in science as challenge and prerequisite in common European research area.

Institute

Slovak Academy of Science, Institute of Sociology
Klemensova 19, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Contact

Research subject for a potential FP6 project

In general, the main topic of proposed project is the problem of gender equality in scientific and research work. The project is closely tied with issues of the Helsinki group members (Helsinki group is an expert body within the EC unit „Women in Science„). The first aim of the project is further fructification of information and knowledge about women in science collected by members of the working group. The second – and the main aim - is to analyse attitudes and personal expe-rience of the scientific community towards the gender equality problem in some Central and Eastern European countries. In contrary to sufficient quantitative data, there is significant absence of qualitative data in this field. Nevertheless, gender sensitiveness in Central and East Europe is in present time significantly lower than in West European countries.

The main research questions are following: What’s the real position of women in science and research in particular countries? Does the scientific community feel the need to pay special attention to the problem of gender equality in science? How to promote the position of women in science? What are the main obstacles in enhancing their position on higher levels? What kind of instruments (if any) have to be used?

The international comparative survey will serve as reliable source for analysis and comparison of situation in particular countries.

Recent international cooperation of the research team

There will be established a new research team based mainly (but not only) on the members of Helsinki group from Central and Eastern Europe.
Proposed members:
Prof. I. Hrubos, Budapest University of Economics, Department of Sociology, Hungary
Mgr. M. Linkova, Institute for Sociology, Czech Academy of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
Prof. J. Pininska, University of Warsaw, Poland
Ass. Prof. M. Taljunaite, Centre for Research, Law University of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania
Dr. D. Gertnere, Research Department, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia

Proposer´s relevant publications related to the research subject

Piscova, M.: Women in science and (in society) in Slovakia. In: Compilation of national contributions, 2nd Meeting of the Helsinki group, EC Research Directorate General, Unit Women and Science, Brussels 22-23 June 2000
Piscova, M.: Women in Science (and Society).In: Proceedings from the UNESCO Fourth Central European Workshop on Basic Sciences for Development, Smolenice Castle, June 2000
Piscova, M.: National report about women in science. Contribution prepared for the 3rd Meeting of the Helsinki group, EC Research Directorate General, Unit Women and Science, Brussels 12 –13 December 2000