Gender Balance and Inclusion at NORSI

NORSI works to make its research school an inclusive environment for PhD candidates and researchers across the Nordic region. Gender balance is part of how we plan our activities, recruit participants and faculty, and develop our governance.

We use the 40–60 principle as a guide when considering the composition of participant groups, teaching teams, panels and governing bodies. Women make up 57% of NORSI’s approximately 360 PhD candidates, with a similar proportion among our alumni. Our Executive Committee has equal gender representation. Representation in the General Assembly is less balanced, and improving it remains a priority when representatives are recruited.

We also work to remove practical barriers to participation. This includes early scheduling, travel support where available, and digital or hybrid participation options that can help people in remote areas or with caring responsibilities take part. Mentoring and targeted outreach support access for underrepresented groups, while our courses include critical perspectives on inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship.

NORSI will review participation, completion and the composition of key roles by gender each semester and report to partner institutions annually. Where we identify imbalances, we will consider changes to outreach, scheduling and representation. We will also draw on expertise in gender, diversity and equality from scholars across our network as we develop our courses and activities.