by Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede
Professor, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
Head of Genie Gender Initiative for Excellence
Like other technical universities, Chalmers has a very low proportion of women in its faculty. Currently, 17% (2018) of the professors are female, the lowest percentage among Swedish universities. However, many scientific studies show that a more even gender balance leads to greater scientific success and a better working environment, for both men and women. Therefore, Chalmers has decided to increase the proportion of women among its faculty through merit-based efforts. The initiative, named Gender Initiative for Excellence (Genie), is funded by the Chalmers University of Technology Foundation and has a budget of SEK 300 million ($32 million USD) over the course of ten years. I have been appointed leader of this huge task that was launched on January 1, 2019 and runs until 2028. My colleague, Prof. Mary Sheeran, serves as vice leader. Compared to other reported efforts, this is by far the largest individual investment in gender equality made by any university in the world.
The bold goal of Genie is to reach 40% female professors within 10 years, but the true goal is not the numbers per se, but to create a university where diversity is valued and the work environment is promoting scientific excellence for both men and women. It is important to point out that Genie is not about quotas. It is about merits and opportunities. Yes, we want to recruit more women faculty and support the ones already in the system, but the point is that these are topnotch scientists. We currently miss female scientists, or disfavor them, because we are unconsciously biased due to old norms. Although new hires are important to reach a critical mass of female faculty at Chalmers, the most important part of Genie -- and also the hardest one -- is to change the academic culture. Most previous gender equality efforts around the world have failed on this. We believe that in order to do this properly, both informal and formal leaders must be become committed to gender equality such that they will act as ambassadors.
Because every department is different at Chalmers, Genie has started our efforts by visiting the heads of Chalmers’s thirteen departments to get a first picture of the current climate. But to get a full understanding, we will also talk to different groupings within the departments, like female faculty, male faculty, gender equality groups, graduate students, etc. There may be hidden conditions or situations that the head of department does not know about. From what we learn in these discussions, we will tailor our recommendations for what to do in the gender equality arena at each department. The key is to propose concrete actions, so it is clear what to do. It will not be easy just because it is concrete, but for us action beats fluffy words. We are creating a gender equality toolbox to help carry out the recommendations. By proposing meaningful changes and providing personal support, Genie aims to catalyze and promote progress in the departments. Deep change does not necessarily cost money, but we will provide funds so there is incitement to get going.
Although the work with the departments is key for Genie’s success, the initiative will also support many other efforts to create more awareness and support new and current female faculty. There is no magic bullet, but instead what is needed is persistence: many small changes over a long period of time. To truly make change happen, there needs to be strong commitment from the top, and we have full support of the Chalmers vice chancellor Stefan Bengtsson, but for change to last, all faculty on campus must get involved. We must remember that the leaky pipeline and glass ceiling we talk about are perpetuated by us, the current faculty. We are responsible, but we also have the power to make change.
For more information see:
https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Chalmers-for-a-sustainable-future/initiatives-for-gender-equality/gender-initiative-for-excellence/Pages/default.aspx
University World News story
https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20190410073042444