The Gender Summit is a platform for dialogue where scientists, policymakers, gender scholars and stakeholders in science systems examine new research evidence showing when, why, and how biological differences (sex) and socio-cultural differences (gender) between females and males impact on outcomes. The aim is to reach consensus where improvements to science knowledge and science practice are needed and who should take action. 

Our aim is to make gender equality in research and innovation the norm and to embed gender as a primary dimension of quality. The Gender Summit started in Europe in 2011 and has helped to influence how gender is addressed in Horizon 2020, the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020), where it is now recognized through three criteria: (A) greater gender equality by increasing the number of women in scientific roles; (B) improved integration of sex-gender analysis in research process; and (C) achieving cross-cutting benefits of gender-sensitive and responsive research and innovation. 

We have held 8 Summits since 2011; bringing together over 2500 participants and 500 contributors from over 50 countries, representing expertise and leadership in policy, gender scholarship, science decision making and industry. From our beginnings in Europe, the Gender Summit mission has been taken on in new global regions: North America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. 2016 has seen the further expansion to Latin America with the GS8 North & Latin America 2016 in April. This year we will also be holding another European edition of the event, GS9 Europe in Brussels in November.