D3.7 Configurations & conditions for achieving GEP impact

This deliverable reports on the progress made in research task 3.3. on the interplay between hindering and facilitating factors for achieving Gender Equality Plan (GEP) impact.

Between October 2023 and April 2024 five Consortium partners carried out a total of 14 in-depth case studies in public research performing organisations across eight European countries (Northern-, Central-, Eastern-, Southern-Europe, and UK/Ireland). Site-visits, focus groups, and a total of 134 semi-structured interviews were carried out with management and administrative staff, gender equality officers, academics and students. Interviews were transcribed and coded leading to 14 in-depth case study reports. Detailed case study reports have not been made public due to requests by participants. Summary case study reports are provided in Annex II of this document.
Comparative analysis across the 14 detailed case study reports has led to the identification of six main impact dimensions which provide the basis of our comparative framework:

• Strategic organisational commitment
• Evidence-based, reflexive approach
• Advanced gender knowledge
• Inclusive community of change agents
• Enforceable legislation
• Supportive social and cultural context

Indicators in each dimension are structured according to their strength to affect “power” and “practice”. Positive change for greater gender equality is more likely if each of the six comparative dimensions have managed to shift the existing power hierarchy and associated practices within organisations.
In addition, we assess how these six dimensions contribute to positive change for greater gender equality in two specific areas, namely gender balanced career progression on the one hand and the prevention of gender-based violence, including sexual harassment, on the other. We propose indicators of impact in these two areas that can be used comparatively across a wide variety of contexts.
Overall, defining a realistic – derived from our empirical case studies - proposal of how GEP impact can be compared across Europe is a key contribution of this deliverable. Two key novelties are introduced compared to existing work: first, the comparative framework is outcome/impact oriented. Instead of assessing progress in terms of using recommended GEP interventions or in terms of a successful implementation of interventions, we assess progress achieved in terms of quantitative and qualitative change towards greater gender equality. And second, the cross-country comparative framework integrates on a fundamental level how power and status hierarchies as well as practice have been affected, functioning thus as indicators of real change.

A first draft of the comparative framework has been formalised via the set-calibration procedure used by QCA for each of the six main factors as well as the outcome variables. Set calibration will continue in a reiterative fashion during the second wave of case studies, having started in September 2024. All cases will contribute to the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) analysis to be carried out in Spring 2025.