Session 1: Building a gender perspective in science: impact on the research community Report Chair: Anna Karamanou Rapporteur: Jaroslaw Wojcieszek

Presentation 1: Dr Hana Havelkova From national icons to superwomen – Enwise specific gender context. The presentation aim:  To explain objectives and theoretical as well as methodological base of Enwise gender context.  It also discussed the importance of historical framework, and gender aspect of “the cultural revolutions” in Central and Eastern European countries.  According to dr Havelkova such a new perspective was missing and it proves essential for better understanding and dealing with the complexity of gender issues in the region.

Presentation 2: Prof. Elzbieta Oleksy Societal relevance of gender research in the Enwise countries Prof. Oleksy has pointed to the importance of Women and Science Unit that turned out to be instrumental in:  furthering the participation of women in EU research programmes of all levels  full integration of gender perspectives in EU research. The presentation discussed:  the directions of the Unit’s activities  findings of study on Improving the Human Research Potential and the Socio-economic Knowledge, leaving audience with the conclusion that majority of IHP Programme projects did not contribute to the understanding of the gender dimension.

Presentation 3: Indre Mackeviciute: Women in science: the role of gender equality machinery Mrs Mackeviciute presented the Lithuanian hands-on experience in implementing gender equality form the perspective of Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson. She has outlined:  current situation in Lithuania with stress on problems concerning gender imbalance in the research community  the work of the Ombudsman Office including legal initiatives and the effects of the state equal opportunities programs. Presentation also suggested ways of increasing the effectiveness of the equal opportunities actions. Presentation also suggested ways of increasing the effectiveness of the equal opportunities actions.

Presentation 4: Diana Meyer-Veden Opportunities and Challenges for Gender Equality by Learning from Two Different Regimes The presentation analyzed the gender equality questions related to the experience of a person educated in the communist regime, and working in the capitalist system Roles of culture, society and education in shaping gender awareness at:  micro level  meso level  micro level Ms Meyer-Veden compared the positive and negative aspects concerned with the socialization at all levels and expressed need for an appropriate framework to lessen the gender inequalities starting from the earliest stages of education

Presentation 5: Prof. Teresa Rees From ETAN to ENWISE: Gender mainstreaming in science policy Prof. Rees discussed the impact of both reports on the research community  ENWISE – a unique insight into the position of women in science in Central and Eastern European Countries and the Baltic States  Gender mainstreaming - involves promoting equality in all policies, programmes and actions, in organisations and their cultures  So far it does not go beyond the “equal treatment” where men are taken as the norm  The need to concentrate on the gendered nature of how science is organised, gendered construction of scientific excellence  Until gender mainstreaming is brought to these areas equal treatment and positive action will always be limited in effects

Discussion  Participants of the Session in general expressed their support for the idea of introducing historical and social dimension to the gender research

However…  Need for a more detailed analysis of legal dimension  How to avoid the backlash suffered by Americans?  Need for a more detailed information on the areas of funding  Need for a link between Chapters 1 and 2 of the Report  More attention to the history of Western women  The place of men in gender studies  How shall we shape science to make it most useful?  The womens’ perception of themselves (discriminated or not)

However…  The implementation of European ides to the research community  Make the research public  Social science should accompany all scientific projects