Gender and diversity aspects are not only important for teamwork but are also essential for research content. In scientific research projects, taking these elements into consideration can lead to additional insights and knowledge and even more far-reaching results. Part of the Human Brain Project’s responsibility while building the EBRAINS research infrastructure, has been to develop training material, sharing experience from a 10-year project to support others in taking an intersectional approach to enhancing gender equality and inclusiveness in projects, themes and teams.
In line with the European Commission’s RRI guidelines and the gender agenda for Horizon 2020, the Human Brain Project took a pioneering role in promoting awareness and advancing gender equality in research teams and decision-making, as well as in research content and innovation. Since diversity in teams is one of the essential requirements for innovation and success, EBRAINS should serve as a European lighthouse example for inclusive interaction and collaboration.
The Gender & Diversity training resources present the intersectional approach to enhance gender equality and inclusiveness used in the Human Brain Project. Measures for diversity used include dimensions protected by law as well as scientific, organisational and individual dimensions such as field of expertise, role, or cultural background. And a collection of materials for career planning and mentoring of researchers in the early stages of their career.
Want to know more about recent findings and different viewpoints on how and when sex/gender differences in brain research are relevant? Watch this video with presentations by Professor Lutz Jäncke and Dr. Frances Quevenco.
Want to learn more about diversity in research objects and target groups in neuroscience, want this presentation by Human Brain Project’s Task Lead for Gender and Diversity Karin Grasenick.
This is the one of the topics in a series of training modules explaining and reflecting on the concept of responsible research and innovation and how this approach can enable better science and innovation. The training covers human and animal data, gender, diversity and inclusion, researcher awareness and research integrity, dual use of concern and misuse ethics and RRI dimensions of knowledge transfer and commercialization, neuroethics, consciousness & AI ethics, and science communication. A module on public engagement and foresight is under development and will be available soon.
Want to know more about Responsible Research and Innovation in the Human Brain Project, more information can be found on the Ethics and Society webpage.