First project nationwide: 850,000 euros for gender-sensitive research at the University of Bayreuth

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding a project at the University of Bayreuth specifically dedicated to gender aspects in research as part of its "Gender Aspects in Focus" call. "Excellent research is geared towards the needs of all people and takes into account that the results can have different consequences for different genders," says University President Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible. "This is what the University of Bayreuth is focusing on with its new 'GO Research' project, which is being funded by the BMBF for five years."

The examples in medicine are drastic: a heart attack starts differently in women than in men, and treatment must also be different. But for a long time, only the "male" symptoms were investigated and treatment methods applied because research on the subject was primarily based on male data. Another example: If artificial intelligence is only fed with data from men, it will always favor male applicants or male-led companies when selecting personnel or deciding on an investment. Another example: cities and infrastructures can become safer and more balanced in terms of mobility if planning is geared towards the living conditions of all people. To achieve this, the science on which planning is based must research the mobility needs of all genders and socio-demographic groups. University President Leible therefore summarizes: "Our research at the University of Bayreuth should answer the big questions of society. It must therefore be independent of gender, age or other characteristics."

The BMBF funding was preceded by a survey on campus. The result: at the University of Bayreuth, some academics are already integrating gender dimensions into their research, particularly from the research network "Gender, Queer, Intersectionality and Diversity Studies" (GeQuInDi). However, the necessary structures and processes for anchoring gender aspects in all areas have not yet been systematically established. In addition, gender-relevant issues are not immediately apparent in all research projects.

"The aim of the project is to establish the consideration of gender aspects in research in all areas of the University of Bayreuth as a quality feature and cross-cutting issue and to consolidate the relevance check as a standard of excellent research," says project manager Miriam Bauch, Head of the Equal Opportunities Service Center at the University of Bayreuth.

The GO Research concept includes measures aimed at students and early career researchers, as they will shape research in the coming years and decades and bring forth innovations. A theory seminar, workshop discussions, a prize, the announcement of a budget for research projects and a certificate at the WiN-Academy are planned.

University Women's Representative Prof. Dr. Heike Feldhaar announces: "With 'GO Research' and the systematic consideration of gender aspects in research, we will continue to align the University of Bayreuth excellently and strengthen it in international competition." Implementation will begin in January 2024.