Join the GenderSAFE Community of Practice and build a safer environment in academia and research!

What is the GenderSAFE Community of Practice?

GenderSAFE is establishing a Community of Practice (CoP) open to all those involved in addressing gender-based violence in higher education and research institutions, including equality, diversity and inclusion officers, human resources and administrative staff, institutional leadership, national government representatives, representatives of trade unions and gender equality organisations, researchers, teaching staff, students, activists and GEP team members. Please note that the GenderSAFE CoP is targeting participants from EU and Associated Countries. 

Building on the knowledge and tools developed by the UniSAFE project, the GenderSAFE CoP is designed to promote exchange and mutual learning among participants from different universities and research organisations on institutional policy frameworks on gender-based violence. Specifically, the CoP aims to engage in a strategic exchange on current gaps in institutional responses, using a trauma-centred approach and addressing the continuum of violence. The ultimate goal is to develop and tailor a model policy framework, including a Code of Conduct, to foster a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence in universities and research organisations.

The GenderSAFE CoP is organised on two levels:

– The General CoP level is for members who wish to engage in discussions on how to implement a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence with a broad focus and covering different aspects. The General CoP level is open to all participants. 

– The Thematic Circles are for members who also wish to have more focused and in-depth discussions on specific topics such as legal aspects of gender-based violence, intersectional power relations and gender-based violence, and a Central and Eastern European perspective on gender-based violence.

What can you expect from joining the CoP?

As a CoP participant, you will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in the launch of the CoP (one-and-a-half-day face-to-face meeting) on 15-16 October 2024 in Rome.
• Participate in face-to-face and online meetings scheduled every four months throughout the project to share experiences, engage in mutual learning, and discuss key issues, gaps, and barriers to tackling gender-based violence at the institutional level.
• Contribute to the discussion and development of co-created content on a dedicated online platform.
• Meet with experts in the field and participate in training sessions on how to best develop and implement a comprehensive institutional policy to prevent and counteract gender-based violence.

Participation is voluntary and informal. However, we welcome active participation and engagement, which is essential to achieve the goals of the CoP. The working language is English.

The CoP will be active from September 2024 to December 2026.

Interested in applying?

Register for the CoP Info Session on 11 June 2024, 10.00 – 11.00 am, where you’ll be able to find out more and ask your questions. We look forward to seeing you there!