Too few women choose to become researchers at Aarhus University. Now, Aarhus University will remove the structural and cultural barriers which keep many talented women from choosing a career within research.

2016.03.18 | Signe Opstrup

Photo: Jesper Rais, Aarhus University

Aarhus University has a recognised challenge when it comes to increasing the number of female researchers from assistant professor level and above. In 2015, for example, only 35 % of the associate professors and 16 % of the professors were women at Aarhus University.

‘The numbers show that as a university we have not succeeded in bringing all talents into play, and that many women do not find the career, which we can offer, attractive,’ says Rector at Aarhus University Brian Bech Nielsen.

Therefore, the senior management team has now adopted an action plan with several specific tools after a broad consultation process at the university.  The new action plan focuses on the following five prioritised areas: Managerial focus on gender equality, recruitment/appointment, talent development, international mobility and an attractive culture.

Vice-Dean for Research and Talent Development at Arts Anne Marie Pahuus says:

‘With help from the many well thought out consultation responses, we have created an overview in the action plan of the most obvious initiatives which can be initiated to break down the cultural and structural barriers on women’s path to the final research career levels as well.’

A specific barrier, which is now being removed, is the expenses in connection with maternity leave. The senior management team has decided that research grant recipients will be compensated in full in connection with maternity leave from now on. This will now be implemented at faculty and department (Aarhus BSS, ST, HE)/school (Arts) level.

The various tools in the action plan also include that job advertisements must be publicly announced as a rule. In addition, it is suggested to increase the use of search committees and broad advertising, to focus more on using mentor programmes, as well as on opportunities for flexibility and support in connection with periods abroad. And finally, long-term initiatives are launched to ensure an attractive work environment with values and an atmosphere which attract and retain men and women in research careers. 

‘We do not suggest preferential treatment, but instead we try to create room and opportunities for all talents who can and want to pursue a career in research.  This will help us attract and retain female researchers to a greater extent and strengthen AU’s position within research,’ says Vice-dean for Talent Development at Health Lise Wogensen Bach and states that management at all levels will follow the development closely in the coming years.

The departments (Aarhus BSS, ST, HE)/schools (Arts) will prepare action plans

The next step is for the departments (Aarhus BSS, ST, HE)/schools (Arts) to start to identify the initiatives which must be included in their local action plans and to set up binding target figures for the period 2016-2020. There may be a great deal of variation in the choice of initiatives and focus areas. For example, there are more women than men at some departments (Aarhus BSS, ST, HE)/schools (Arts). Therefore, the goal is to create opportunities to ensure that all talents come into play.

’The departments’ (Aarhus BSS, ST, HE)/schools’ (Arts) situations are different.  Therefore, it is up to each department (Aarhus BSS, ST, HE)/school (Arts) to assess which tools will add the most value locally. The most important thing is that our recruitment process of academic staff is gender-neutral. We must support talents - regardless of gender,’ says Rector Brian Bech Nielsen about the forthcoming work. 

The management at the four faculties have committed themselves to follow up on the departments’/schools’ action plans and on the development in the gender balance at the departments/schools and faculties on an annual basis, and provide the senior management team with information about activities and results annually.

Further information

Read the action plan for more women in research.
If you have any questions, please contact:

• Vice-dean for Research and Talent Development at Arts Anne Marie Pahuus amp@au.dk
• Vice-dean for Talent Development at Health Lise Wogensen Bach lwb@au.dk
• Vice-dean for Research at Science and Technology Søren Rud Keiding keiding@au.dk
• Vice-dean for Research and Talent Development at Aarhus BSS Per Baltzer Overgaard pbo@au.dk