Projects of OPI PIB

REFLECT

The main objective of the project is to deepen the understanding of inequalities in scientific careers in Europe, co-create intersectionality-based solutions, including tools and recommendations, and empower stakeholders to mitigate these inequalities through capacity building and long-term systemic transformation.

Project data

Project start date2026-09-01
Project end date2029-08-31
Project cost1,819,069.13 EUR

Partners

  • Charles University, Czechia
  • Yellow Window, Belgium
  • University of Gothenburg, Sweden
  • Conoscenza e Innovazione, Italy
  • University of Deusto, Spain
  • Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
  • National Information Processing Institute, Poland

The REFLECT (Researching Intersectional Equity and Fairness in Lived Experiences and Career Trajectories) project is grounded in the idea that existing actions for the equality in the European Research Area (ERA), which focus primarily on gender in a binary aspect, are insufficient. Barriers in academic careers arise from overlapping (intersectional) systems of inequality, such as sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia, and discrimination related to age and social background. Despite gender remaining central to analysis, it should always be examined in relation to other factors and characteristics, such as LGBTQ identity, disability, migrant status, and academic age.

The project seeks not only to improve the situation of marginalised groups, but also to enhance the global competitiveness and innovation potential of European science. The project will ultimately deliver a sustainable system for monitoring inequalities that is integrated with existing EU reporting frameworks.

The project aims to identify structural barriers, analyse the mechanisms that perpetuate inequalities, determine their scale in Europe, define key intervention points, develop tools, such as narrative CVs, equity scorecards and intersectional GEPs, and strengthen stakeholders’ competencies.

OPI PIB is responsible for source mapping and data collection, analysis of narrative CVs with LLMs, and preparation of an analytical report. The institute will also develop an interactive REFLECT Dashboard that integrates research findings and conclusions.

The project’s stakeholders include researchers, academic communities, research performing organisations, research funding organisations, policymakers, and European university networks and alliances.

The project is implemented as part of the Horizon Europe programme.