Women, research and universities: Excellence without gender bias without crisis no change and no change without crisis

Abstract

While all can agree on the wording of the first line of the heading, the subtitle is provocative but intentionally chosen. What will it take to bring about equal opportunities for women and men in science? Will change come about in academia as a result of a general understanding that women and men can and should contribute equally to science and innovation or do we need a crisis for change to happen? With decades of committed work on equal opportunity and equity in academia, and the limited tangible results and impact achieved, it is worth considering aspects such as specific instruments, interventions and good practice examples which could assist us in bringing about more significant and tangible progress.