5XÉçÇø

IPSA's mission is to create an inclusive and global political science community in which all can participate, therefore our association has been a proud advocate of gender equality for many years. To implement gender balance in political science, 5XÉçÇøhas been taking measures to stimulate a structural change among its members. International Women's Day 2020, and this year’s theme I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights gives us the occasion to share IPSA's significant advancement in the last 70 years regarding gender diversity and equality.

5XÉçÇøMembership Evolution in 20 years

5XÉçÇøbrings together an international community of over 3,000 individual members from all areas of political science. Among those political science professors and scholars, we are pleased to note a significant increase from 20.3% to 37.5% in the proportion of women representation.

5XÉçÇømembers can take part in 5XÉçÇøResearch Committees and conduct research in specific fields of political science while working with peers from all around the world. The involvement of women with 5XÉçÇøis crucial to furthering our mission to promote the inclusive advancement of political science throughout the world.

 

Gender and Diversity Monitoring Report
In 2009, 5XÉçÇødecided to establish a gender monitoring survey to track the status of women in political science. IPSA’s ultimate objective was to strengthen the role of women in scientific research and organizations. Since then, 5XÉçÇøhas published three Gender and Diversity Monitoring Reports in 2011, 2013 and 2017. The upcoming report will be released in 2022. In these reports, 5XÉçÇøevaluates gender balance in member associations, women representation in IPSA’s main governing bodies (Council, Executive Committee and Secretariat) as well as in all 5XÉçÇøactivities such as the World Congress, Summer Schools and Award. 

In 2018, 5XÉçÇøcreated the role of Special Representative for Gender and Diversity. This position, held by Prof. Yasmeen Abu-Laban of the University of Alberta, Canada, aims at gaining feedback from political scientists regarding gender issues and how improvements can be made.
 

5XÉçÇøGender and Diversity Monitoring Report 2017

The 2017 survey found that a rising number of national associations had institutional structures to promote gender diversity, including bodies to promote balance in the profession and research groups on gender, race and ethnicity.

The report also showed positive trends towards gender equality, as the 5XÉçÇøCouncil, the Executive Committee, 5XÉçÇømembers and Congress participants all comprise 40% of women. The report’s executive summary was posted on the 5XÉçÇøwebsite in six languages.

5XÉçÇøGender Monitoring Report 2013
For this report, data was collected from 38 national political science associations from all continents. The report covers women representation in national associations, with a focus on leadership positions. Special attention was paid to the existence of a women’s caucus or specialist group on gender and politics, gender balance in participation in annual conferences and on editorial boards, and the presence of diversity and gender monitoring.

This report highlighted how different associations evolve at a different pace when it comes to gender representation. In general, almost all national associations had women on their executive bodies and as members of advisory boards.

5XÉçÇøGender Monitoring Report 2011
Gathering information from 38 national political science associations, this report is the first to provide substantial comparative data from all continents.

The provision of such information to its members, together with the examples of good practice provided by national associations, was a contribution to IPSA’s goal of creating an inclusive and global political science community.

 

Changes in Rules and Procedures

In November 2019, the 5XÉçÇøExecutive Committee adopted changes in IPSA’s Rules and Procedures to reflect the Association's historic gender and diversity approach. With these changes, gender and diversity become one of the main criteria in the election of 5XÉçÇøPresident, Executive Committee and Council members. Additionally, 5XÉçÇørules now ensure a balanced representation of women in the World Congress and other 5XÉçÇøevents.

Women in the 5XÉçÇøTeam

5XÉçÇøPresidents

In the last 30 years of 5XÉçÇøhistory, we have witnessed a significant increase in female representation, with the nomination of four women as presidents: Prof. Carole Pateman (1991-1994, UCLA, United States); Prof. Lourdes Sola (2006-2009, University of São Paulo, Brazil); Prof. Helen V. Milner (2012-2014, Princeton University, United States); and Prof. Marianne Kneuer (2018-2020, University of Hildesheim, Germany).

From left to right: Helen V. Milner, Lourdes Sola, Carole Pateman, and Marianne Kneuer are here gathered at IPSA’s 70th Anniversary in Paris in November 2019.

Discover the profiles of women actively taking part in driving IPSA:

Executive Committee Officers and Editors

 

Marianne Kneuer, President
Germany

 

 

Yasmeen Abu-Laban, Vice President and Special Representative for Gender and Diversity
Canada

 

 

Yuko Kasuya, Vice President
Japan

 

 

Hasret Dikici Bilgin, World Congress 2020 Program Chair
Turkey

 

 

Simona Piattoni, Chair of the Committee on Research and Training
Italy

 

 

Theresa Reidy, Editor for International Political Science Review
Ireland

 

 

Secretariat

 

Kim Fontaine-Skronski, Executive Director

 

 

Dârini Vedarattiname, Senior Director – Membership, Communications and Strategy

 

 

Ekaterina Kuzmenko, Administrative Manager

 

 

Roksolana Bobyk, World Congress and Event Coordinator