On February 11 we celebrated International Day of Women and Girls in Science. According to She Figures 2018 report, published by the European Commission, the number of women engaged in scientific career in Europe is on the increase. Nonetheless, women are still under-represented in the academic ranks and their full potential is yet to be recognised and appreciated.

What does the situation look like in the Medical University of Lodz?

Currently, the University employs more women than men: 65% of MUL employees are female. This refers to all employee groups: academic teachers, research and technical assistants, administration and service officers. Women also slightly outnumber men at the managerial level: 54% of heads and managers of administrative units and heads of research and teaching units are females. Three University faculties are headed by women and they are also in majority as vice-deans of these faculties.

Our female researchers manage scientific projects, publish their papers in recognised scientific journals and receive prestigious scholarships. In the years 2017 – 2020 women supervised 54 national projects funded by the National Science Centre whereas men were the managers of 41 such projects. 68% of the University employees who received their PhD with habilitation degree in the years 2017 – 2020 were females; at the same time the title of a professor was gained by 21 women and 19 men.

Our University carries out its statutory tasks while implementing the policy of equal opportunities and non-discrimination. In 2019 we attained the status of HR Excellence in Research, which is not only a distinction but, first and foremost, an obligation to make continuous improvement to HR and recruitment policy including gender equality monitoring and activities towards equal opportunities and diversity management in the University, emphasises Prof. Lucyna Woźniak, Vice-Rector for Research Strategy and International Relations.

The University follows the procedures which comply with broadly-understood equity and gender equality; Anti-mobbing Committee has been appointed and Guidelines for good practices in recruitment and employment have been implemented.

We are also very mindful of the gender perspective whatever actions in any areas are undertaken in the University. We hold workshops on the role of women in research and education, we introduce solutions to facilitate work-life balance and we promote good practices so as to enhance the position of women in science.

The facts and figures are important as they allow us to verify the effects of our actions. However, what seems to be more significant is daily fostering of our university organisational culture based on mutual respect, understanding and openness to diversity. Being a leader in gender equality is a commitment. We will go on monitoring the situation and promoting positive role models, underlies Prof. Radzisław Kordek, the Rector of Medical University of Lodz.

Medical University of Lodz is planning further steps in the deployment of the idea of diversity in the academic practice and consistent monitoring of the compliance with the principles of equality and tackling discrimination.