Umeå University gets SEK 4.2 million for gender equality

Umeå University received, with an application from the Umeå Centre for Gender Studies, the largest single allocation of more than SEK 3.1 million for the project focusing on sustainable structural change. The university was awarded a total exceeding SEK 4.2 million. Two additional projects – one on time compensation for assignments and another on storytelling – were also approved funding.

“Umeå University has made gender equality measures a top priority, and I think this allocation from the Delegation is a true testament to our efforts. The university has made tremendous progress in many areas, but it takes time before any changes will be seen,” says Åsa Bergenheim, Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

“One example is that the proportion of female professors is increasing very modestly. Today, the university is strongly investing towards the recruitment more female professors. Therefore, it’s very encouraging that we are receiving external funding to other equality initiatives,” continues Åsa Bergenheim

Fourteen universities and university colleges, and the Swedish National Union of Students (SFS), will share a total approaching SEK 25 million. 73 applications from 29 different higher educational institutions and other organisations were submitted to the Delegation.

“Efforts are already underway to seek additional projects for next call for applications in February 2010, said Karin Ågren, Chair of the Committee for Gender Equality at Umeå Univesity. “The goal is add even more projects at Umeå University because there are many good ideas about how gender equality can be further improved.”

Contact Information:

Hållbar strukturell förändring – möjlighet eller utopi?(English translation: Sustainable structural change – opportunity or utopia?) Malin Rönnblom, Umeå Centre for Gender Studies (UCGS)Phone +46 (0)90-786 96 74
E-mail: malin.ronnblom@ucgs.umu.se

Kompensation av tid för uppdrag(English translation: Time compensation for assignments) Karin ÅgrenPhone: +46 (0)90-786 50 11
E-mail: karin.agren@jus.umu.se

Storytelling – att skriva om berättelsen om akademin(English translation: Storytelling – rewriting tales about academia)Hanna Lönnerskog NilssonPhone: +46 (0)90-786 51 54
E-mail: hanna.lonnerskog.nilsson@adm.umu.se

Background
The Delegation for Gender Equality in Higher Education was appointed by the government on 9 February 2009 in order to support initiatives and propose measures that promote gender equality in higher education in Sweden. The Delegation is headed by Pia Sandvik Wiklund, Jämtland County Director.