Researcher's environment-The Diversity challenge-Synthesis of 4 focus groups

This report summarises the outcomes of the four focus groups organised within the activities of Work Package 4 of the EURAXESS TOP III project (in Belgium, Romania, Slovaquia, Italy). The aim of this work package is to enhance the capacity of EURAXESS network members to actively contribute to the development of attractive research environment supportive to mobility and welcoming to the diversity. The way how the diversity and mobility obstacles are handled depends on the ability of research institutions to perceive benefits that the mobility and diversity can bring and their readiness to introduce the measures supporting them. One of the aims of the WP4 is therefore to prepare the EURAXESS network and its staff to overtake the role of “agents of change” within their institutions and proactively encourage adoption and implementation of strategies and tools necessary to create the environment supportive to mobility and welcoming to diversity.

Gender, in particular, is addressed as one dimension of diversity. In order to find out more about how EURAXESS Centres in different European regions reflect on the integration of gender equality and diversity principles into their mission, but also to raise awareness about the issue among them, four regional focus groups have been organised and their outcomes compared. This report is an attempt to synthesise the findings of the four focus groups. Its structure reflects the pre-defined set of questions, although not all questions were addressed by all focus groups.