This document discusses integrating gender aspects into STEM research. It notes that STEM fields have difficulties considering gender due to their focus on objective answers rather than context-dependent solutions. While there is research on gender in specific topics, it often occurs separately from mainstream research. The document advocates bundling existing gender literature to make it accessible to other researchers. It provides examples of how ignoring gender can lead to exclusion, risk, or imposition of stereotypes. Finally, it acknowledges that considering gender adds complexity to research but argues funding organizations should support this increased effort.

1. Gender Dimension in Research
“This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research
and innovation programme under grant agreement No 741128”. This presentation
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible
for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.”
22nd March 2021
Brigitte Ratzer, TU Wien

2. Did you know, that STEM field…
• has specific difficulties with gender aspects
 positivistic “one correct answer” logic vs. ambiguous and context-
depending solutions
 few connecting points from within the disciplines (methods, problem
definition)
 partly a lot of gender research, but in parallel to the "real" (mainstream)
research
• Discourse comes primarily from outside RPOs
 RFOs, H2020, Horizon Europe (economic pressure)
 publishers, journals (scientific excellence)
 national law (including gender into teaching/ gender studies into
curricula)
• Scientific communities themselves have deficient to
non-existing regulatory mechanisms to integrate
gender aspects into their mainstream research
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3. When demanding that the gender dimension
be taken into account in research projects…
…many researchers don't know what to do
…many reviewers don't know how to review
A common trap is stereotyping 3
Brigitte Ratzer, TU Wien

4. Important: Do not stereotype!

5. Gender Dimension in Research
There is a myriad of gender
literature on many STEM topics
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6. Gender Dimension in Research
The GEECCO approach: bundle and systematize
already existing literature
Make it accessible for researchers with other
areas of expertise (literature reviews)
Translate the complex literature into a few
essential key messages (exhibition, videos)
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7. Gender Dimension in Research
Examples
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8. Mobility and Gender Roles
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9. Mobility and Sex
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Men are involved in road traffic accidents more often than women. However, for
women the risk of severe injury is 47 percent and of slight injury as much as 71
percent higher than it is for men. The risk of dying in an accident is 17 percent
higher for women.

10. Robots and Gender
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11. Brigitte Ratzer, TU Wien 12

12. Brigitte Ratzer, TU Wien 13

13. Brigitte Ratzer, TU Wien 15

14. From left: Boston Dynamics’ original ATLAS, next-generation ATLAS, BigDog,
WildCat, and AlphaDog.
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15. Conclusion
• Dimensions of discrimination by ignoring
gender in research range from to be
– excluded (too big, too small,…)
– inferior (you can use it, but it doesn´t fit)
– ignored and thereby be at risk (e.g. medicine…)
– imposed a stereotypical role (robots)
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16. One problematic issue might be increasing
complexity:
Research gets even more complicated and
stressful, when considering additional dimensions
Implication: research does not only get more
complex but also more expensive and time-
consuming. RFOs need to consider that!
Gender Dimension in Research
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Brigitte Ratzer, TU Wien

17. Ressources & Results
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GEECCO material
http://www.geecco-project.eu/resources_results/geecco_material/
Exhibition „Gender in Research“
http://www.geecco-project.eu/resources_results/exhibition/

18.  Project website: http://www.geecco-project.eu/home/
 https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8615114
 https://twitter.com/GEECCO_H2020
Get connected on:
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Brigitte Ratzer, TU Wien

19. Thank you
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Brigitte Ratzer, TU Wien