Salento University

Department of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies, Lecce, Italy - Research Performing Organisation

The Salento University (UNILE) is a young dynamic university. Since 1955 it has had the aim of promoting knowledge, skill and merit and has offered a large range of educational opportunities. From law to science, economics to engineering, humanities to media studies, the university provides academic pathways to a range of professions as well as post-graduate and specialist courses tailor made to meet the needs of the workplace. Six Faculties – hubs for the eight Departments – providing services and information for students, as well as thirty-three Research Centres throughout the Salento area.

The Salento University aims to acquire the awareness and capability to introduce the enrolment and retention of women in science, implement work-life balance policies, and remove obstacles to women’s career progression.

GEP Library of UNILE

Based on the 5-Phases CALIPER work plan, UNILE 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 the Salento University.

External Assessment

Analysis of external framework conditions & innovation ecosystems from a gender perspective of the Salento University.

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.

GEP wepage of UNILE

A dedicated page inside the Organisation's web portal presenting GEP activities for internal structural changes towards Gender Equality and collaborations with key external stakeholders.

The Research & Innovation Hub of UNILE

What is the R&I Hub?

UNILE 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 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.

UNILE 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 UNILE consists of 4 organisations. All of them are industry players, working with a network of private and public entities.

GEP Working Group

Τhe UNILE Working Group (WG)  supports the design of the GEP, its implementation, monitoring and further update whenever necessary, through collaboration with the UNILE CALIPER project team.

  • Fabio Pollice, Rector
  • Donato De Benedetto, General Adminstrative Director
  • Rosaria Rinaldi, UNILE partner coordinator/full professor
  • Sara Invitto, UNILE partner staff/adjunct professor
  • Anna Maria Cherubini, UNILE Rector delegate for gender policies
  • Monica McBritton, Head of UNILE CUG (Single Warranty Committee)
  • Andrea Ventura, Rector Delegate for University's performance
  • Loredana De Vitis, Head of UNILE Communication Office
  • Gianna Avellis, Innovapuglia/ITWWIN
  • Valeria De Matteis, Researcher
  • Mariafrancesca Cascione, Researcher
  • Elena Laurenzi, Researcher
  • Matteo Maria Maglio, PhD representative in Academic Council
  • Giulia Giannone, PhD representative in Math and Phys Dept.
  • Linda Albanese, Undergraduate Student/Student representative

Organisation Team

Rosaria  Rinaldi
Full professor in Condensed Matter Physics

Rosaria Rinaldi

Full professor in Condensed Matter Physics
Anna Maria Cherubini 
Rector delegate for gender policies  UNILE. Adjunct professor in Complex Systems Analysis

Anna Maria Cherubini

Rector delegate for gender policies in UNILE – Adjunct Professor in Complex Systems Analysis

Sara Invitto

Adjunct professor in Cognitive Neurosciences

GEP Activities of UNILE