Université libre de Bruxelles

Belgium – Research Performing 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. 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 woman rector in French speaking Belgium.

Within CALIPER, ULB developed Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) for its Faculty of Sciences and the Brussels School of Engineering. It also led the project efforts on design and development of the partners customised GEPs, the delivery of the internal engagement and change management strategy, as well as the tasks of intra-institutional communication in CALIPER.

Gender Equality & Diversity at ULB – webpage🔗

Gender Equality webpage (Brussels School of Engineering)🔗

Gender Equality webpage (Faculty of Sciences)🔗

Visit the dedicated pages presenting GEP activities for internal structural changes towards Gender Equality and collaborations with key external stakeholders.

GEP Library of ULB

Based on the 5-Phases CALIPER work plan, ULB implements 2 rounds of Gender Equality Plan design, development and evaluation lasting 12 months each.

Substantial results stemming from this process ensure the smooth running of the planned interventions, the engagement and commitment of key stakeholders and the envisioned sustainability of GEPs.

Internal Assessment

A comprehensive analysis of gender equality related conditions within 9 specific areas inside ULB.

External Assessment

Analysis of external framework conditions & innovation ecosystems from a gender perspective of ULB.

Gender Equality Plan

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

Legal Feasibility Study on Positive actions

Legal feasibility study on the adoption of gender-based positive action, to address the underrepresentation of women in the context of the university and higher education system. Analyses of national, European and international legal framework, and potential measures to be put in place institution wide as well as at STEM faculty level.

Guide on gender sensitive teaching practices

Explore 8 tools and practice-based recommendations to help break down gender stereotypes in the classroom, towards a gender-sensitive university pedagogy.

Study on corrective practices for career breaks due to childcare leaves – towards equal evaluation and progression of career pathways.

Feasibility and best-practice benchmarking study of corrective measures– towards a more egalitarian system of assessment and selection procedures for academics, taking into account parental/childcare leaves, to increase the representation of women.

The Research & Innovation Hub of ULB

What is the R&I Hub?

ULB has identified external key players of the regional and national innovation ecosystem, including academia and universities, industry players, ministries/government bodies, and public sector and civil society organisations to engage them in the GEP process.

Engaging interested and key external stakeholders in the GEP processes can bring gender balance and gender sensitiveness in transfer to the market of scientific research results, it motivates young girls to embrace STEM studies, and it promotes gender sensitive co-design of research and tech products.

ULB works with the external players of the Hub, to implement the collaborative GEP actions.  These actions facilitate institutional change internally, but also initiate a conversation among the regional and national stakeholders, to adopt and implement gender policies in their organisations.

The R&I Hub members

The R&I Hub of ULB consists of 14 organisations. Two of them belong to the academic community, three are industry players, five are civil society organisations, while four are representatives from the government and the public sector.

Latest News & GEP Activities of ULB

GEP Working Groups

The organisation has set up two Working Groups (WGs) to support the design of the GEP, its implementation, monitoring and further update whenever necessary, through collaboration with the ULB CALIPER project team

The operational WG made up of professors and researchers from the two STEM ULB faculties targeted in CALIPER, together with the organisation team, is in charge of the actions directly related to the Gender Equality Plan: assessment, design, implementation and evaluation.

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

The consultative WG made up of members from the high and middle management of the University as well as students, has a consultative and strategic role. It also acts as an interface between the CALIPER project and the faculties/University, assuming a communication and dissemination role.

  • Isabelle MAZZARA (F) ULB General director
  • Daniele CARATI (M) Research department director, Central - ULB
  • Jean-Christophe LELOUP (M) Advisor to the authorities on gender policy / 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
  • Laurence Rosier (F) Advisor to the authorities on gender policy
  • Monique TAVERNIER (F) University’s secretary
  • Barbara TRUFFIN (F) Co-coordinator of STRIGES (interdisciplinary group on gender studies) / professor

Organisation Team

caliper-laurent-licata-img

Laurent Licata

Professor in Social Psychology
caliper-indra-weber-img

Indra Weber

Project Manager
caliper-sara-aguirre-img

Sara Aguirre

ULB Gender and Diversity Officer