The European Platform of Women Scientists is proud to announce its 5th Anniversary.
In 2005, the European Platform of Women Scientists EPWS has been founded as one of the most prominent steps in working to retain women in science careers and improve their representation in EU research and research policy, seed funded as an FP6 Specific Support Action. Legally established as an international non-profit organisation under Belgian law (AISBL ) in November 2005 and governed by an international, multidisciplinary Board of Administration of high ranking women scientists, EPWS constitutes an important strategic instrument in European research policy, complementing various initiatives taken at the European level to ensure a better participation of women scientists in research and in the research policy process as well as the inclusion of the gender dimension in research.
EPWS acts as a structural link between women scientists of all disciplines and policy makers in Europe with a set of unique selling points.
In less than three years the Platform evolved into the network of more than 180 members in 41 countries working for over 12,000 women scientists in Europe and beyond, and is continuing to acquire new members until today. During the past five years of its existence, the Platform saw the opening of the EPWS Secretariat in Brussels in Spring 2006, met for its first Network Event in October 2006, held its first General Assembly in Brussels in 2007, enjoyed the success of its first Annual Conference “Women Shaping Science” in Vilnius in 2008 and the second Annual Conference “Scientific Culture, Communication, Gender – An Innovative Challenge for Women Scientists” in Brussels in 2009.
EPWS considers that the basic principle of inclusiveness and the encouragement of heterogeneity in research will benefit a community of researchers much larger than women scientists and gender researchers: A fair, inclusive, gender sensitive notion of excellence and other key concepts of science and research policy such as innovation and mobility will also open chances to young researchers and to researchers with non-traditional research careers.
Read the full 5th Anniversary text here
