Introduction

In the dynamic landscape of scientific research, fostering a gender-balanced and inclusive environment is not only a matter of fairness but a crucial factor for innovation and scientific development. The COST Action NEXUSNet, a collaborative research network, is at the forefront of this field and actively works to strengthen the leadership roles of women and men, aiming to achieve a more balanced future in science. This blog post looks at the impactful initiatives NEXUSNet has undertaken to promote gender equality and gender mainstreaming in research, drawing on a comprehensive research and analysis report conducted by the authors.

Context: Gender Equality in European Research

The European research landscape, particularly in the context of COST Actions, is committed to promoting gender equality. The COST Association emphasises the integration of Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) in all COST Actions to promote an inclusive research culture, support balanced participation in leadership positions and ensure that gender aspects are considered in research content where relevant. Although significant progress has been made, with close to gender parity overall and a strong representation of women in leadership positions (52%), inequalities persist. For example, faculty positions are still predominantly held by men (i.e., only are 37% women), and there is still clear gender gaps in various research areas, some of which are dominated by one gender. Furthermore, in areas that traditionally attract women, women are often under-represented in leadership positions. In this broader context, the efforts of NEXUSNet are particularly important, as they provide a successful model for addressing these challenges.

Proactive Efforts to Bridge the Gender Gap in the Nexus Research

NEXUSNet Cost Action recognises that a truly robust and impactful research ecosystem must actively incorporate a gender perspective to move beyond mere numerical representation to a deeper understanding of how biological and social factors associated with gender influence research questions, methods and outcomes. NEXUSNet has implemented a multi-faceted approach to address these challenges and promote a more equitable research environment. These efforts have been systematically focused not only on identifying inequalities but also on actively implementing solutions to address them.

The initiatives included the gender lectures that have been held in the training schools since 2023, the promotion of dedicated webinars and workshops (one example is the seminar “Sustainable Solutions Through Co-Creation: why Gender Balance Matters” in Thessaloniki in September 2024 and “Promoting Gender Balance and Inclusivity in the Field of Science” at the Nexus EXCELLENTIA Summit 2025), the creation of specific activities on gender equality, the development of robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms, the development of a gender equality brochure, extensive research and data collection (i.e., existing data was analysed to identify specific gaps and opportunities to improve gender equality within the network).

A key component was the development and implementation of a survey to assess the integration of the gender dimension into NEXUSNet activities. This survey, promoted via a QR code, poster, and social media channels, engaged the network in self-assessment. The evaluation of the survey results provided valuable insights into the impact of these campaigns. It highlighted areas for future improvement, culminating in a final report that summarised the activities, key findings, and an impact assessment.

The survey results show that NEXUSNet has achieved a remarkable level of gender balance, both in overall participation and in leadership positions, with the majority of these positions held by women. Respondents’ perceptions underline this success: over 80% of respondents noted a balance in the working groups, and an even higher proportion (94.4%) recognised this at events and webinars. A slightly lower proportion (72.2%) felt that gender balance extended to activities with external stakeholders.

Still, the uncertainty in this area suggests that inclusive practices need to be made more visible beyond the network. Notably, less than half (44.4%) perceived a clear integration of the gender dimension in research tasks, highlighting an important gap between gender balance in participation and the systematic inclusion of gender-sensitive perspectives in scientific content. Overall, the analysis confirms NEXUSNet as a positive example of inclusivity, but also highlights opportunities to strengthen the link between gender equality in participation and the integration of gender as a research variable.

The design and promotion of these activities is an essential part of raising awareness and promoting dialogue. These efforts have led to a positive perception within the network: 80.6% of survey participants perceive a balanced gender representation in working groups, 94.4% at events/webinars, and 72.2% in activities with external stakeholders. This indicates a strong internal recognition of NEXUSNet’s commitment to inclusivity.

Conclusion: A Balanced Future for Research

The Virtual Mobility (VM) initiative, “NEXUSNet: Empowering Gender Leadership for a Balanced Future”, has demonstrably achieved its planned objectives and achieved significant results. By promoting gender-sensitive practices, raising awareness and providing actionable tools, the VM has significantly contributed to the objectives of NEXUSNet and strengthened the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness policy. The work has established a solid foundation for sustainable collaboration and gender-specific initiatives within the network, demonstrating a positive correlation between gender balance and research outcomes.

NEXUSNet is proof of the positive impact of proactive gender balance strategies. Its success in achieving near-equal representation and a majority of women in leadership positions serves as an inspiring model for other research networks. While challenges remain, particularly in fully integrating the gender dimension into all aspects of research tasks, NEXUSNet’s continued commitment, the knowledge developed and disseminated through research, and systematic efforts are paving the way for a truly balanced and inclusive future in scientific research, ensuring higher-quality research outcomes through gender mainstreaming.

Keywords/Hashtags

#GenderEquality #NEXUSNet #ResearchCollaboration #GenderBalance #Inclusivity #ScienceLeadership