ALLEA Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Research Holds First Meeting in Expanded Format

On 15 December, the ALLEA Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Research convened online for its first meeting.

The meeting followed the appointment of eight new members from ALLEA Member Academies, who joined seven continuing members from the existing group. It marked an important milestone in the Task Force’s renewed mandate, with discussions focusing on its objectives, reflections on past activities, and priority areas and working modes for the year ahead. 

Initiated by the British Academy and co-chaired by Dr Molly Morgan Jones, the Task Force promotes intersectionality, fairness, transparency, and inclusiveness across the European research landscape. It provides a platform for sharing policies and innovative practices that improve access to research opportunities and leadership positions, address bias, including algorithmic bias, and support early- and mid-career researchers. Through evidence gathering, dialogue, and collaboration, the group aims to strengthen research excellence by fostering truly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. 

Running from 2024 to at least 2026, the Task Force will continue to collect and disseminate good practices, develop principles and guidance, and offer recommendations to national academies and institutions. Its work seeks to improve framework conditions for EDI within the European Research Area (ERA), particularly in the contexts of strengthening gender equality and inclusiveness, improving access to excellence, making research careers more attractive and sustainable, promote equity in Open Science, and addressing bias in AI research, contributing to more inclusive and resilient research cultures across Europe.