EUGAIN
European Network For Gender Balance in Informatics
Women are underrepresented in Informatics (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computing, ICT) at all levels, from undergraduate and graduate studies to participation and leadership in academia and industry.
Increasing female representation in the field is a grand challenge for academics, policymakers, and society as a whole. Although the problem is evident, progress has been invariably slow, in spite of all the momentum and impulse for change happening across Europe.
The main aim of the European Network For Gender Balance in Informatics (EUGAIN) COST Action, run from 19 October 2020 to 18 October 2024, was to improve gender balance in Informatics through the creation and strengthening of a truly multi-cultural European network of academics working on the forefront of the efforts in their countries, institutions and research communities. EUGAIN featured more than 160 members from over 45 countries, including 5 non-European ones. Building on their knowledge, experiences, struggles, successes, and failures, we worked on developing and sharing best practices as well as a set of guidelines to support policymakers in adopting gender balance in Informatics.
Among other outcomes, EUGAIN provided the academic community, policymakers, industry and other stakeholders with recommendations and guidelines to address the following key challenges:
- (i) How to have more girls choosing Informatics as their higher education studies and profession;
- (ii) How to retain female students and assure they finish their studies and start successful careers in the field;
- (iii) How to encourage more female Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers to remain in the academic career and apply for professorships in Informatics departments;
- (iv) How to support and inspire young women in their careers and help them to overcome the main hurdles that prevent women to reach senior positions.
Looking to contribute, gain inspiration from and collaborate with experts?
EUGAIN is an open, interdisciplinary and growing network welcoming academics, practitioners and relevant stakeholders to contribute to the activities of the EUGAIN work plan. Following the successful completion of EUGAIN in October 2024, many members continue their efforts through Informatics Europe initiatives. You can be part of it.
See Also
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Structure
See EUGAIN’s Management Committee, Core Group members, and Working Group chairs.
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Grants
See information about
Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM’s) and other grants realised from 2020 to 2024.