On 8–9 April 2025, the University of Minho in Braga, Portugal, hosted the annual meeting of the COST Action Gender VOICES. This key event brought together working groups from across Europe to collaborate on current research activities and engage in strategic discussions to advance the project’s overarching objectives. Among these was Working Group 6 (WG6), which convened under the leadership of Dr. Rakibe Kulcur to address progress on the ongoing study “Mapping Data Availability in Higher Education Institutions.”

Key Outcomes of the Meeting

Central to the WG6 meeting was a detailed examination of the study’s implementation, specifically assessing the availability of institutional data relevant to early-career researchers in higher education. The group engaged in substantive discussions around several core components of the research process, including:

  • Defining appropriate target populations for the survey component of the study,
  • Establishing criteria for the selection of interview participants, and
  • Evaluating the relevance and applicability of the anticipated data for robust and meaningful analysis.

The group agreed that the findings derived from this research should be disseminated through multiple channels. In particular, plans were made to develop a policy brief tailored to institutional and policy stakeholders, alongside a peer-reviewed scientific publication that will enhance the academic visibility and impact of the study.

Alignment with the Broader Goals of Gender VOICES

This study directly supports one of the principal aims of the Gender VOICES Action: to critically examine the availability and accessibility of gender-related data in higher education institutions, focusing on early-career researchers. The research will inform evidence-based policy and promote greater equity and transparency in academic environments by identifying data gaps and inconsistencies.

The working group encourages continued collaboration and engagement from stakeholders and researchers. Contributions to the study will not only support the development of meaningful institutional change but may also lead to co-authored outputs upon the conclusion of data analysis.

Through this collective effort, Gender VOICES seeks to advance a more inclusive, data-informed framework for understanding and supporting early-career trajectories within European higher education.