Gender equality policy for Lund University

Transcription

1 Gender equality policy for Lund University Kajsa Widén Head of gender equality and diversity issues Activities at Lund University are founded on gender equality and on striving for ethnic and social diversity. The equal worth of all people is recognised, and the University is proactively against racism and xenophobia. The University s activities are conducted in ways that allow each individual to develop on the basis of their personal capacities, independently of irrelevant distinctions of gender, ethnic or social background, religion or other belief, sexual orientation, transgender identity or expression, functional disability or age. The University has a policy of zero tolerance of harassment and discrimination.

2 Gender equality Gender equality means that women and men shall have the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all areas of life. This implies an even distribution of power and influence, equal opportunities for economic independence, and equal conditions and premises regarding work, career and opportunities for development. It further implies equal access to education, and opportunities for developing personal ambitions, interests, and talents. Gender equality also means shared responsibility for home and children, and the absence of gender-related or sexual harassment.

3 Priority areas for actions recruitment and promotion pay structure and other terms of employment leadership to prevent and combat harassment gender perspectives and gender-conscious pedagogy in education equal treatment of students

4 Recruitment and promotion The University shall strive to use a proactive recruitment policy with several policy instruments to achieve a balanced gender distribution in education at the first and second (undergraduate) levels, and at the third (postgraduate) level. all categories of teachers. administrative and technical positions. Despite the fact that 2004 was the first-ever year in which women made up half of all admissions to postgraduate studies, an uneven gender balance persists among teachers and researchers.

5 The goal is for women and men to be given equal opportunities to pursue a career at Lund University. Employees in Jan 2012 Category Women Men Postgraduate student 48% 52% Postdoctoral fellow 37% 63% Senior lecturer 36% 64% Professor 22% 78% These figures where somewhat different in 2001: Postgraduate student 38% women Postgraduate fellow 36% women Senior lecturer 27% women Professors 11% women

6 Against this background, the following applies for the upcoming period gender equality aspects shall always be considered in long-term personnel planning and proactive recruitment measures be directed towards the under-represented gender. gender equality aspects shall further be considered in decisions regarding research strategy. the teacher proposal committees shall have an even gender distribution among teacher representatives. As far as possible, the minority gender shall hold the chair. career support shall be offered in the form of individual yearly development interviews, but also in other forms such as mentor programmes, network support etc. Such support is particularly important in relation to employees of the under-represented gender. A special chair, the Hedda Andersson Chair, is co-financing guest professors visiting Lund university, where they should be role models in teaching and research.

7 Pay structure and other terms of employment The Equal Opportunities Act lays down detailed requirements for the charting and analysis of gender differentials in pay. Every third year the Personnel division draws up an action plan for equal pay and terms of employment. Faculty managements and heads of departments have direct responsibility for implementing the action plan. The personnel division and faculty managements shall continue their dialogue with the aim of creating equal terms of employment for the under-represented gender. In planning and placing work, possibilities of combining employment at Lund University with parenthood should be particularly considered.

8 Leadership Individuals in leading positions shall receive training about gender equality issues. all levels shall work proactively to achieve an even gender distribution in all decision-making bodies and in leading positions. all faculty managements shall be gender mixed. Executive committees and other informal management teams shall also be gender mixed. leadership development for the under-represented gender in particular shall continue to be a priority. networks for women in various leading positions shall be particularly encouraged and supported.

9 AKKA a leadership program with an integrated gender perspective Leadership development for the under-represented gender in particular shall continue to be a priority. AKKA is a gender integrated leadership program at Lund university. The program started in 2004 exclusively for senior women scientists. In the third and fourth program participants include men as participants. In all, from 2004 until 2011, 97 women and 27 men have been involved in an AKKA program. Positive results, so far, are that gender structures have become visible for those, men and women, who more or less denied the existence of discrimination. Both male and female participants have expressed the advantages of being in a gender-mixed program - and to have had the opportunity to discuss leadership and gender as well as sharing cross-gender experiences. Academic leaders as gender equality change agents in academia

10 To prevent and combat harassment In Report from the Evaluation Unit: Study Environments at Lund University (2005) women make up a large majority of the: 33% who feel that their study situation is very stressful 20% who have experienced unpleasant treatment during their studies 6% who have experienced abusive treatment A training package for how to prevent and take action against harassment has been produced and is offered to faculty managements, heads of departments, directors of studies, student guidance counsellors, and other key groups. A new report from the Evaluation Unit is coming this spring, concerning the study situation for students at Lund university.

11 Gender perspectives and gender-conscious pedagogy in education The faculties shall monitor the integration of gender perspectives and a gender-conscious pedagogy in all education programmes at Lund University. Gender perspectives and gender-conscious pedagogy shall have a prominent place in the qualification-giving pedagogic training offered at Lund University. A project group is now working with gender certification at three different departments: Physics, Geology and Earth & ecosystem Sciences, Department of Energy Sciences The aim of the project is to increase the knowledge on gender issues and to create conditions for a possible gender certification at these departments. For this purpose a working team has been appointed that is supposed to spread information about the project within the department and to, together with the project manager, discuss, initiate and implement various activities. The gender certification group (the working team) meet regularly since the beginning of At several of these meetings the project manager also takes part.

12 Equal treatment of students A new report from the Evaluation Unit is coming this spring, concerning the study situation for students at Lund university. Special help if you experience unjust treatment - the Student ombudsman. Where you can turn to if you think you have experienced discrimination or if you are want information about Lund University's equal treatment work. You can also find interesting news and suggestions on current activities concerning equality. The student ombudsman is a service under Lund university student unions association (LUS) - a cooperative organisation for student unions at Lund University. The purpose of the discrimination act in Sweden is to promote equal rights and opportunities regardless of sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other believes, disability, sexual orientation and or age.

13 See the human beyond A training package for employees and students on how to prevent and take action against harassment called: See the human beyond Presentation of the discrimination act Surveys from different universities about the environment Information about our policy at Lund university Discussion in groups about special authentic cases A short survey about the climate at your own workplace Discussion and dialog is vital a key to more knowledge when you want an including and welcoming environment.

14 Thank you! Contact information: