In 2021 Queen Mary University of London was awarded grant to take part in the Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) pilot project created by the Indian Government, Department for Science and Technology (DST) and British Council in partnership with Advance HE.
The project's aim is to develop and introduce the first gender equality frameworks within India’s academic domain, with a specific focus on:
“GATI aims to nudge institutions of higher education and research towards supporting diversity, inclusion and the full spectrum of talent for their own success and progression. In particular, it aspires to create an enabling environment for equal participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) disciplines at all levels, addressing deep-rooted problems.”
[objective - GATI handbook and self-assessment framework and guidance, DST 2021]
Queen Mary's role is one of mentorship, providing support and guidance to our Indian partners GATI leads and self-assessment teams. At Queen Mary, this has been delivered through the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team and the internal GATI project group (internal) through one-to-one sessions, workshops and the sharing of resources.
Our GATI project group (internal) were key in the shaping and delivery of workshops (October 2021-April 2022) and provided perspectives from across The University.
Members
Eleanor McDavis
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Mursheda Begum
Project Administrator
[British council, Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI): Partnership Concept Note, Annex 3, 1-7]
Figure 1. Geographical locations of our partner institutions.
Our partner have two main roles:
1) Adopt the 10 GATI Charter principles in policies, strategic plans, and organizational culture. These are:
2) Undertake Self-Assessment and Accreditation process based on the GATI Gender Equity Indicator Framework which:
Date
Activities
2021
QMUL awarded GATI grant
1:1 sessions, resources and advice shared throughout
Oct 2021
Workshop 1: Orientation
Jan 2022
Microsoft Team space established for GATI partners
Feb 2022
Workshop 2: Self-assessment process
Workshop 3: Data collection and analysis
Mar 2022
Workshop 4: Action planning for success
Collaboration on International Women’s Day blog
Apr 2022
Feedback survey
Jun-Jul
GATI self-assessment application drafts
Sep 2022
Joint UK Higher Education Institution activity: A week of workshops on lessons learned and good practice
GATI partner visits to QMUL
Oct/Nov 2022
SMD x GATI workshop (TBC)
Nov 2022
QMUL visit to India (TBD)
Nov 2022-Dec
Figure 2. Short term impact
Figure 3. Anticipated long term impact
GATI Project Administrator, Human Resources, Queen Mary University of London
Mursheda.begum1@qmul.ac.uk
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager (Gender), Human Resources, Queen Mary University of London
e.mcdavis@qmul.ac.uk
For more information, see the DST GATI brochure