1. Purpose and scope
ORPHEUS, the Organisation for PhD Education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in the European System, is committed to equality, diversity, inclusion, and fair participation across its activities.
This Gender Equality Plan (GEP) establishes the principles and actions through which ORPHEUS promotes gender equality in its governance, committees, educational activities, conferences, Labelling programme, communications, partnerships, and European projects.
The Plan reflects the nature of ORPHEUS as an international non-profit organisation rather than a university, research institution, or large employer. Its implementation is therefore proportionate to ORPHEUS’s structure, resources, and activities.
2. Principles and objectives
ORPHEUS will:
- promote equality of opportunity and transparent participation in its activities and leadership;
- seek reasonable gender balance in governing bodies, committees, speakers, trainers, panels, and other visible roles;
- support equal participation and career development of doctoral candidates and early-career researchers;
- promote an inclusive and respectful environment free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and gender-based violence;
- integrate gender equality into its work on doctoral education, supervision, research culture, and career development where relevant;
- encourage appropriate consideration of sex and gender in biomedical and health research.
Gender balance will be considered together with professional expertise, geographical diversity, institutional representation, and organisational needs.
3. Governance, activities, and doctoral education
ORPHEUS will seek balanced participation of women and men in its Executive Committee, committees, working groups, conferences, training activities, and other representative roles. Selection and appointment processes should use transparent and objective criteria.
ORPHEUS-supported meetings and educational activities should promote inclusive participation and, where reasonably possible, take account of family and caring responsibilities.
In doctoral education, ORPHEUS will encourage member institutions to provide fair access to recruitment, supervision, mentorship, mobility, training, progression, and career opportunities. Particular consideration should be given to parental leave, caring responsibilities, illness, career interruptions, and the prevention of gender stereotypes and abuse of power.
Relevant principles may be incorporated into ORPHEUS Best Practices, Labelling standards, recommendations, and training activities.
4. Gender dimension in research
ORPHEUS recognises that sex and gender may influence research questions, methodology, data collection, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and implementation in biomedical and health sciences.
ORPHEUS will therefore encourage doctoral candidates and researchers to consider sex and gender in research whenever scientifically relevant and to make this consideration explicit and transparent.
5. Prevention of discrimination and harassment
Discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation, and gender-based violence are incompatible with ORPHEUS values.
Participants in ORPHEUS activities are expected to behave professionally and respectfully. Concerns may be reported to the President, Secretary-General, or another designated member of the Executive Committee and will be handled with appropriate sensitivity, confidentiality, fairness, and respect.
Where appropriate, cases may also be referred to the relevant employing institution or competent authority.
6. Monitoring, communication, and awareness
Where feasible and compatible with data-protection requirements, ORPHEUS will monitor gender representation in selected areas, including governing bodies, committees, speakers and trainers, conferences, educational activities, fellowships, and awards.
The purpose of monitoring is to identify significant imbalances and inform future actions. ORPHEUS will not collect sensitive personal information without a clear purpose and appropriate data-protection basis.
ORPHEUS will use inclusive and respectful language and seek balanced representation in its communications and visibility activities.
Gender equality awareness may be incorporated into existing ORPHEUS training and activities, including topics such as fair selection, gender-sensitive supervision, professional boundaries, and sex and gender in biomedical research.
7. Responsibility and review
The ORPHEUS Executive Committee is responsible for implementation of this Plan and may designate a Gender Equality Contact Person to coordinate monitoring and review.
Implementation will be integrated into existing ORPHEUS governance and activities, without creating unnecessary administrative structures.
The Plan will normally be reviewed at least once every three years, or earlier if significant organisational or regulatory changes occur.
8. Adoption and publication
This Gender Equality Plan was adopted by the ORPHEUS Executive Committee on 16 September 2026.
It applies from 16 September 2026 and will remain in force until revised or replaced.