Gender equality

COST is fully committed to promoting gender equality and supporting both talented women and men in research and innovation. The COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy strongly encourages gender balance of research networks, as well as the take up of leadership positions by (young) women COST Action participants. As such, COST aims to ensure equal opportunities and gender-friendly career advancement.

Advancing gender equality in research and innovation is a key objective of the European Union’s gender equality policy. Across Europe the numbers have increased over the last years (women are indeed a majority among PhD graduates), however, only a third of women are scientists, a phenomenon especially visible in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) where women are even less represented.

State of play of women representation in COST Actions*:
  • COST Actions have an average of 49% women representation
  • 52% of researchers in COST Action leadership positions are women
  • 43% of Action Chairs and 56% of Action Vice-Chairs are women
  • 53% of the total young participants in COST Actions are women
  • 57% of ITC participants in COST Actions are women

*July 2024

Illustration of different head profiles showing different people of ages, races, and genders

Gender Equality Plan

The COST Association has developed Gender Equality Plan (GEP) focused on advancing gender equality in all COST activities, with a specific focus on the COST Actions.

The aim is to promote an inclusive culture and enshrine the need to include a gender dimension in all activities. The GEP is a living document, allowing for details to be developed, adjusted, and updated over time, thereby increasing its long-term impact.

Download the GEP

COST community for gender equality

COST Action participants with an interest and/or role in gender equality are invited to join the recently established online COST community for gender equality on Basecamp. Offering a virtual space for COST Actions to exchange good practices, experiences, and to ask questions, Basecamp is an ideal tool for COST Action participants looking to find out more or better promote gender equality in their Actions. 

Those interested in joining the community are invited to contact Policy Officer Judith Litjens.

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