European Platform of Women Scientists

Purpose

Legally established as an international non-profit organisation under Belgian law (AISBL) in November 2005 and governed by an international, multidisciplinary Board of Administration of 11 high ranking women scientists, EPWS constitutes a new strategic instrument in European research policy, complementing various initiatives taken at the European level to ensure a better participation of women scientists in research and in the research policy process as well as the inclusion of the gender dimension in research.

Goals

The platform's main goals are to:

• Network existing networks of women scientists and networks engaged in promoting women scientists in all disciplines and promote networking among women scientists, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe and in the private sector.
• Increase the participation of women scientists in European research and its decision-making bodies – as project researchers, leaders, and coordinators, in review and evaluation panels as well as high level expert groups.
• Increase the participation of women scientists in national and European research programmes, especially in the Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7).
• Promote the understanding and the inclusion of the gender dimension in science and research policy in all scientific fields as well as an inclusive, gender-sensitive notion of excellence and innovation.

References

References

1. "Gender Balance as a Precondition – Requirements for a Strong Scientific Culture in the European Research Area, book contribution by Maren Jochimsen and Brigitte Mühlenbruch, in: Encouragement to Advance – Supporting Women in European Science Careers, Anke Lipinsky (ed.), cews.Beiträge Frauen in Wissenschaft und Forschung No.5, Bielefeld: Kleine Verlag 2009, pp. 11-24.".
2. (August 2025)
3. [https://ec.europa.eu/research/erab/pdf/erab-first-annual-report-06102009_en.pdf Preparing Europe for a New Renaissance, A Strategic View of the European Research Area, First Report of European Research Area Board, 2009, p. 18]
4. "The voice of women scientists in EU research policy – The establishment of the European Platform of Women Scientists as a new strategic instrument in EU research policy, book contribution by Pauleen Colligan and Maren Jochimsen, in: Encouragement to Advance – Supporting Women in European Science Careers, Anke Lipinsky (ed.), cews.Beiträge Frauen in Wissenschaft und Forschung No.5, Bielefeld: Kleine Verlag 2009, pp. 184-199".
5. [https://ec.europa.eu/research/press/2006/pr2303en.cfm News Alert: Launch Event, European Platform of Women Scientists, European Commission DG Research, 28 March 2006]
6. [https://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/document_library/pdf_06/benchmarking-policy-measures_en.pdf Benchmarking policy measures for gender equality in science, European Commission Directorate-General for Research Communication Unit, 2009, p.29]
7. (2009). "World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, September 7 – 12, 2009, Munich, Germany".
8. [https://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/pdf/reco_report_250703.pdf Study on Networks of Women Scientists Recommendations Report, Bradley Dunbar Associates, 2003, p. 3]