Open Call: Apply to join the GenderSAFE Community of Practice Students Circle!

GenderSAFE has established a Community of Practice (CoP) designed to promote exchange and mutual learning among participants from different universities and research organisations on institutional policy frameworks addressing gender-based violence.

The ultimate goal is to promote policy coordination at the EU level by contributing to the development of a model policy framework, including a code of conduct to foster a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence in higher education and research. The CoP will also foster empowerment by inspiring and supporting participants to introduce or improve gender-based violence policies in their institutions through facilitated peer learning, training and testing of tools produced by the project.

GenderSAFE CoP is inviting applications for its Students Circle

The UniSAFE research has shown that gender-based violence is widespread in the academic context, yet students who experience it rarely report it (only 7% do so). Among victims/survivors, 47% did not report the incidents because they were unsure if the behaviour was serious enough to report. Another key reason is that 26% of respondents did not believe any action would be taken if they reported the incident.

Students and student associations play a crucial role in promoting institutional change to address gender-based violence. They can raise awareness through student events, advocate for change, provide support to victims/survivors, and foster a culture of respect and equality in higher education.

With the student circle, GenderSAFE is aiming to engage university members whose perspectives are usually not included in the design of university policies; thus, we welcome applications from undergraduate, Master, and PhD students. To get as many perspectives as possible in the room and to acknowledge the fact that gender-based violence disproportionately affects people who experience discrimination, we particularly encourage students who are part of marginalized communities to apply for the CoP. This includes but is not limited to: students who identify as BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Color) or other racialised minorities, LGBTIQ+ students, students with disabilities, and from various class backgrounds.

Everyone interested in implementing effective policies against gender-based violence in academia is invited to respond to the call. Former experience with policymaking is not necessary, but beneficial for the conversations in the working circles.

The Students Circle will discuss how to ensure that the adoption and implementation of gender-based violence policies effectively address the needs and challenges of students who are confronted with gender-based violence.

The aims of the student circle are to:

• Gather students’ perspectives and facilitate their involvement in the co-design of institutional policies.
• Explore the possibility and content of a charter for student associations and unions that reflects the commitment to a zero-tolerance Code of Conduct.
• Reflect on discussions from the four other CoP circles, incorporating student experiences in institutional policies and addressing challenges in effectively implementing such policies.
• Consider the specific contributions of students in advocacy, monitoring and evaluating institutional policies.