European Platform of Women Scientists (EPWS)
EPWS-Wo we are
The European Platform of Women Scientists is an international non-profit organisation that represents the needs, concerns, interests, and aspirations of more than 12.000 women scientists in Europe and beyond.
Since its inception in 2005, more than 100 networks of women scientists and organisations promoting women in science from 40 countries have joined the Platform, working for the promotion of equal opportunities in the research fields of all scientific disciplines and aiming to give women scientists a voice in European research policy.
Women working in science, especially in decision-making positions, and in the private sector are still significantly underrepresented: Despite the fact that women make up more than 50% of EU students and earn 45% of EU doctoral degrees, women on average only hold 19% of senior academic positions.
In some countries and in some disciplines, this percentage is even lower.
The European Platform of Women Scientists builds a structural link between women scientists and European and national research policy-makers to achieve equal and full participation of women in science and in science policy in order to safeguard European excellence and innovation in research.
EPWS Today
The European Platform of Women Scientists has more than 100 member networks in 40 countries that represent more than 12.000 women researchers. Strengthened by the disciplinary and geographical diversity of its membership and its highly profiled Board of Administration, the Platform rapidly established its place in the European and national research policy debates.
Close contact with the community of women scientists
EPWS’ key assets with respect to other groups, institutions and initiatives in the field are its close links with the European community of women scientists in all disciplines, among them also gender specialists. These links are strengthened thanks to discussions with the members of the Association and through constant dialogue with EU research policy institutions and the Brussels science community, thus rendering EPWS a key strategic actor in the research policy debate.
Coordinated political interventions on gender equality in research
The direct contact with the science community enables EPWS to establish an active and ongoing exchange of ideas on women and science issues, to identify and harness the concerns, needs, ideas, aspirations and interests of European women scientists and to unite their forces and coordinate their voice(s) in the European policy debate, via diverse channels such as position papers, replies to public consultations etc.
Structural link between the research community and policy makers at EU level
EPWS facilitates a structured, informed, targeted and constructive dialogue between the community of women scientists and research policy makers at EU level, addressing national, European and international institutions. EPWS monitors, evaluates and comments on the policy debate and the development and implementation of gender mainstreaming in the European Research Area. EPWS harnesses the needs, concerns, aspirations and interests of women scientists to develop a coordinated position on specific issues and promote the integration of the gender dimension in all areas of research policy in particular at a European level.
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