Gender Equality Plan Workshop
Gender equality and diversity are core European values, and they directly support research quality, innovation, and societal impact. In the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, long-standing gender imbalances persist, with women and gender minorities especially underrepresented in leadership roles. This limits not only fairness, but also innovation and the sector’s long-term sustainability.
Even when gender isn’t directly relevant to technical research topics, it matters in how research is organised and managed. Inclusive governance, fair recruitment, and supportive work cultures help create better research environments and outcomes.
Our approach is guided by a Gender Equality Plan aligned with Horizon Europe and EU legislation. It integrates equality into project governance and reporting, supports fair and transparent recruitment, promotes work–life balance, and enforces zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination. Monitoring is proportionate and GDPR-compliant, focusing on reflection and continuous improvement rather than surveillance.
How do we move from policy to action?
At the GED Workshop on 3 February 2026, participants from the Archibiofoam GED Committee discussed ways to strengthen outreach and visibility in the AEC sector. One key agreement was to explore organising an open house event during the next exhibition of the Archibiofoam project.
- The target audience is underrepresented minority groups in the AEC sector.
- The main goal is to raise awareness of career pathways and opportunities.
Improving gender balance requires collective, long-term commitment and ultimately strengthens research and innovation, contributing to the development of the AEC sector.