The Nordic countries have a good international reputation for equality. However, there is still work to be done in terms of gender equality in academia. For example, according to a report published by the Nordic Council of Ministers, women are still under-represented in professorships and other research leadership positions in all Nordic countries. The statement highlights that “gender equality to be not only a matter of fairness, but also a powerful tool for greater diversity, leading to higher quality and excellence in science”.
The appeal to the universities, science councils and decision-makers of the Nordic and Baltic Young Academies has 22 concrete measures to improve the current situation. They cover different phases and areas of career where gender perspective is relevant: recruitment, promotion and funding allocations; leadership and gender equality targets; working conditions; international mobility, and academic publishing and conferences.