EWORA Conference: "Gender Equality in the Academy is Fragile: Is Values-Led Leadership the Answer?"
Venue: Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), Lisbon - Auditorium 1
Dates: June 26–27, 2025
Please click here to download the program
June 26, 2025 (Conference Day 1)
13:00 - 13:15 – Registration and Welcome Coffee
13:15 - 14:00 – Opening Remarks
Moderator:
Maria Inês Romba, Head of the Office of Development and Media Relations, UCP
Panelists:
• Isabel Gil, Rector, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
• Kerstin Tham, President, EWORA & Former Vice-Chancellor, Malmö University
• Arne Floyen, President, NordForsk
14:00 - 15:30 – Session 1: "Securing and Sustaining Women’s Leadership in Higher Education"
Moderator: Isabel Gil, Rector, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Panelists:
Session 1 will offer unique insight and practical guidance on the promotion of senior academic leadership development with academic and democratic values, human rights, and social impact at the core of the proposition. Few would argue against the need to close the prevailing and persistent gender gap in senior leadership, research, and overall decision-making in Universities across Europe and beyond. We will discuss how we can secure and sustain female leadership in Higher Education.
Break: 15 mins
15:45 - 17:15 – Session 2: "How to Narrow the Gender Disparity in Artificial Intelligence (AI)"
Moderator: Sondan D. Feyiz, Rector, Kadir Has University (Vice President, EWORA)
Panelists:
AI will completely change the way we work and communicate in and outside academia. This presents huge challenges for management and female leadership. Session 2 will discuss the need for careful consideration of the impact and gender imbalance in the use of AI. The imbalance could exacerbate biases in AI systems and limit innovation, and there is a need for leadership strategies in higher education.
18:00 - 19:30 – Welcome Reception at UCP
June 27, 2025 (Conference Day 2)
09:00 - 10:30 – Session 3: "How Can We Promote Senior Academic Leadership amongst Women and Why Is It Important?"
Moderator: Pamela Gillies, Former Vice-Chancellor, Glasgow Caledonian University
Panelists:
There is still a gender gap in leadership positions, in research, and in general decision-making at universities in Europe. In light of current political developments, there is even a risk that previous achievements are jeopardised. In this session, we will look at how gender parity can be advanced, the barriers to improvement, and why it is an important goal for universities, colleges, and research organisations to achieve.
Coffee Break
11:00 - 12:30 - Session 4: "Breaking the Fragility Circle: Is Values-Led Leadership a Path to Strengthening Gender Equality in Academia?"
Moderator: Inga Žalėnienė, Rector, Mykolas Romeris University
Panelists:
Expert Discussant: Caroline Parker, Emeritus Professor & Former Assistant Vice Principal Values, Glasgow Caledonian University
Session 4 will focus on the fact that the position of female academic leadership is always fragile. Although research shows that women leaders are critical to the development of our universities, beyond issues of fairness or social justice, there is evidence that gender equality in leadership positions brings the following benefits: better decision-making and the adoption of values-led strategies prioritizing inclusivity and introducing service-oriented approaches to communities.
LUNCH Break
14:00 - 15:00 – Session 5: "Looking Ahead in Difficult Times: Conference Wrap-up and Closing Remarks"
Moderator: Birgitt Riegraf, Former President, Paderborn University
Panelists: EWORA Board of Directors
Inga Žalėnienė, Rector, Mykolas Romeris University
Isabel Gil, Rector, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Kerstin Tham, Former Vice-Chancellor, Malmö University (President)
Lucyna Woźniak, Vice-Rector, Medical University of Łódź
Pamela Gillies, Former Vice-Chancellor, Glasgow Caledonian University
Sondan D. Feyiz, Rector, Kadir Has University (Vice President)
15:00 - 16:30 – EWORA General Assembly (GA) Room Ernest & Young, Building CLSBE
20:00 – Conference Dinner & Honorary Award Ceremony at Museu do Oriente
Welcome Remarks – Prof. Isabel Gil
Keynote Speech – Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, Portugal
EWORA Honorary Award Ceremony – Presentation by Prof. Kerstin Tham
Remarks by the Awardee – Prof. Manuela Veloso
Closing Toast – Prof. Isabel Gil & Prof. Kerstin Tham
