Marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February), the EU-funded HOLiFOOD project highlights persistent gender disparities revealed by its 2023 data. While women are strongly represented at early stages of scientific careers, their presence continues to decline significantly at senior and decision-making levels. These findings underscore that gender equality is not only a matter of fairness, but a structural factor that directly affects the quality, diversity and impact of scientific research. The European Commission’s latest publication on advancing gender equality in research and innovation further reinforces this message.

“Let us celebrate the diversity of excellence in science to inspire young women and pave the way for their inclusion and support in academia and research”, said Margreet van der Burg, Senior University Lecturer of Gender studies in food, agriculture and rural contexts at Wageningen University.

Gender equality is a core principle of EU research policy and a driver of scientific excellence. Within this framework, HOLiFOOD has embedded the gender dimension across its governance and research activities, in line with Horizon Europe requirements and EU-level priorities on institutional change. At the end of 2023, HOLiFOOD conducted a consortium-wide gender survey and headcount to establish a baseline for monitoring representation, roles, and perceptions. These data support evidence-based decision-making and help identify where structural imbalances persist, particularly in relation to career progression within research and innovation.

Results and Achievements

• The HOLiFOOD gender headcount shows a near gender balance across the consortium, with 47.3% women and 52.7% men among 110 project members.
• A closer look at scientific roles reveals differences by career stage:
  • PhD level: approximately 64% women
  • MSc level: approximately 55% women
  • Associate professor level: approximately 33% women
  • Professor level: approximately 36% women
• These figures highlight a pattern seen across European research: strong female representation at early career stages, followed by a drop at senior levels.
• By collecting gender-disaggregated data and analysing participation across roles, HOLiFOOD contributes concrete evidence from the food systems research field, supporting more inclusive and informed research and innovation practices.

“Embedding the gender dimension is not an add-on but fundamental to high-quality research. HOLiFOOD’s detailed gender data empower us to track progress, address imbalances, and strengthen inclusive excellence across our scientific community,” said Ine van der Fels-Klerx, HOLiFOOD coordinator and Special professor Food Safety Economics at Wageningen University.

HOLiFOOD’s approach directly reflects the objectives outlined in the European Commission’s January 2026 publication Promoting Gender Equality and Institutional Changes through EU-Funded Research, which emphasises the role of projects in translating policy commitments into concrete practices.