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Université libre de Bruxelles

Research Performing Organisation

The organisation

The Universite libre de Bruxelles (ULB) consists of 13 faculties, schools and specialized institutes covering all the disciplines. Founded in 1834, the ULB has a long tradition of excellence in research with four scientific Nobel Prizes, one Fields Medal, three Wolf Prizes and two Marie Curie Excellence Awards. It is one of the largest and best Research Universities in Belgium. The university also played a pioneering role in the presence of women in Belgian universities, welcoming the first three women university students, the first woman assistant, the first woman professor and the first – and only until now – woman rector in French speaking Belgium.

For the Université libre de Bruxelles the participation in CALIPER represents an excellent opportunity to improve and further expand the gender equality and diversity actions already in place at the University (see ULB Gender equality charter and ULB Diversity plan). Moreover, CALIPER’s focus on the STEM disciplines allows us to specifically address gender inequalities in these fields of knowledge, characterised by the low presence of female students, researchers and professors and the low level of integration of the gender perspective in research content. Nowadays, the scarcity of human resources in the STEM field, a strategic economic area for both employment and social innovation, is partly explained by the lack of women. It has also been proved that gender-sensitive approaches lead to higher quality research and social innovation that takes into account people’s and society’s needs. ULB’s participation in CALIPER is thus a great chance to foster gender equality in STEM as a priority axis in the technology transfer to society in two different ways: by increasing equal opportunities for women and men as STEM experts and by improving the quality of research and social innovation.

Internal Assessment

A comprehensive and detailed analysis of gender equality related conditions inside the Université Libre de Bruxelles

External Assessment

An analysis of external framework conditions and innovation ecosystems from a gender perspective of Université Libre de Bruxelles

Gender Equality Plan

A set of actions for the impact assessment of procedures to identify gender bias; implement strategies to correct any bias; set targets & monitor progress via indicators

GEP Working Groups

Scope: At ULB we have established two very motivated Working Groups (WG):
– The operational WG is made up of professors and researchers from the two STEM ULB faculties targeted in CALIPER. It meets twice a month and is in charge of performing, together with the organisation team, the actions directly related to the Gender Equality Plan: the assessment, design, implementation and evaluation of the GEP.
– The consultative WG is made up of members from the high and middle management of the University as well as students. It has a consultative and strategic role for the implementation of the project and the improvement of gender equality at our University. It also acts as an interface between the CALIPER project and the faculties/University, assuming a communication and dissemination role.

Operational Working Group members

Barbara CLERBAUX, Professor in Physics, Faculty of sciences
Dimitri LEEMANS, Professor in Mathematics, Faculty of sciences
Isabelle GEORGE, Professor in Bio-engineering, Interfaculty school of bio-engineers
Nathalie GYPENS, Professor in Bio-engineering, Interfaculty school of bio-engineers
Jennifer WATCHI, PhD researcher in Bio, Electro and Mechanical Systems, Polytechnic school

Consultative Working Group members

  • Isabelle MAZZARA (F) ULB General director
  • Daniele CARATI (M) Research department director, Central - ULB
  • Jean-Christophe LELOUP (M) Gender contact person at faculty level / professor
  • Frederic ROBERT (M) Dean / professor Polytechnic school
  • Morgane DE TOEUF (F) Student
  • Christine DECAESTECKER (F) Gender contact person at faculty level / professor Polytechnic school
  • Olivier MARKOWITCH (M) Dean / professor, Faculty of sciences
  • David PATERNOTTE (M) Co-coordinator of STRIGES (interdisciplinary group on gender studies) / professor
  • Valerie PIETTE (F) ULB’s authorities advisor for gender equality policy / professor
  • Monique TAVERNIER (F) ULB Gender contact person
  • Barbara TRUFFIN (F) Co-coordinator of STRIGES (interdisciplinary group on gender studies) / professor

Organisation team

Laurent LICATA, ULB Vice-rector of academic policy and career management, in charge of gender and diversity policies / Professor in Social psychology
Patricia MÉLOTTE ULB Gender and diversity officer
Sara AGUIRRE, ULB gender and diversity researcher and CALIPER project manager

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