The Genders, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Working Group of the Marie Curie Alumni Association
The Genders, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI) Working Group of the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), formerly known as the Gender Equality for Mobile Researchers in Science (GEMS) Working Group, has been active since 2014. Its predecessor, the Women in Science Working Group of the Marie Curie Fellow Association (MCFA), was founded in 2006. The Working Group has been moving from a specific focus on enhancing the role of women in science to a more holistic approach, ie promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in research.
These Working Groups have organized multiple workshops, seminars, and conference sessions and collaborated with several organizations with similar goals to enhance the visibility of women research scientists, to promote equal opportunities in career development, and for a healthier work-life balance. Its current and future activities aim to reach a broader audience, including engaging with policymakers. Over the years, the Working Groups have published several e-books on Role Models for Mobility of Women Scientists (link for 2011: ), featuring successful women scientists who have achieved a healthy work-life balance while moving to new locations. These role models aim to provide young women who are embarking on their science careers with opportunities and advice on how to overcome obstacles through inspirational real-life stories and practical examples. The added value of mobility in achieving gender balance was featured also in several ESOF and Gender Summit conferences and in a Nature article (Virtual Mobility can drive equality, Nature 511, 292 (2014)).
Contributed by: Antonella Di Trapani, former Founder and Chair of the MCFA Women in Science WG and co-founder and co-Chair of the MCAA GEMS WG
Jenny Elmaco (current Chair of the MCAA GEMS WG)