On February 10-11, 2025, the Core Group of COST Action VOICES gathered to advance its work towards promoting gender equality in research and innovation in Europe. Over two intensive days, participants collaborated on drafting the White Book, organizing key upcoming events, and meeting with strategic stakeholders.

Day 1: Building the White Book and Event Planning

The meeting began with a welcome session and an introduction to the agenda by Anne-Sophie. Participants then engaged in discussions on the White Book, reviewing progress made, defining key messages, and refining the document’s structure. This session was crucial in aligning objectives and ensuring that all fundamental ideas were incorporated.

After lunch, an action plan was set up to circulate the draft and gather feedback. A writing session followed, complemented by two parallel workshops: one focused on drafting the call for the final conference, and the other on structuring the program for the annual meeting in Braga.

The day concluded with preparations for meetings with Stine Larsen and Katerina Svickova, both key figures in gender equality advocacy within the European Commission.

Day 2: Core Group Meeting and Key Discussions

The second day started with the third Core Group meeting in GP4, covering crucial topics such as budget status, grant calls, upcoming event organization, and communication strategies. Additionally, updates from various Working Groups (WGs) and VOICES’ participation in third-party conferences were discussed.

Later, Core Group members met with Stine Larsen, a political advisor to the European Parliament, to explore synergies and strategies regarding gender equality in research. In the afternoon, a meeting was held with Katerina Svickova, Head of the Gender Sector in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, to discuss policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening equity in the European Research Area.

The event concluded with a wrap-up session and a roadmap for the next steps, followed by a farewell coffee where participants reflected on the progress made and the challenges ahead.

Next Steps

The Core Group of VOICES will continue working on finalizing the White Book, which is expected to be a key document guiding future initiatives on gender equality in research and innovation. Additionally, the call for the final conference will soon be launched, providing a platform to present VOICES’ findings and engage with key stakeholders.

We thank all participants for their dedication and contributions to this crucial meeting.

Let’s keep pushing forward towards a more inclusive and equitable research landscape!