There was quite a reaction when the rector and the rest of INN University's management were handed the Equality Report for INN University 2022 on the morning of 8 March 2023.
The Equality Report is a factual foundation for the gender balance among employees at the institution, and it was Tonje Lauritzen and Marte Vikan Mykleby from INN University's Committee for Equality and Diversity who presented the figures and invited reflection in the rector's managerial group.
Large and important workplace
Among all employees, there is a majority of women at INN University, which is the largest state workplace in Innlandet County with its 1,300 man-years divided between 440 in administrative positions and 866 in teaching and research positions. In total, there are over 1,500 employees at INN University.
Each campus is in many ways a cornerstone enterprise in its local community.
"We have great respect for the importance INN University has as a workplace and are happy that the overall gender distribution is satisfactory," says Svenkerud. "It's encouraging that INN University can be said to contribute to a diverse labour market throughout Innlandet County, and we are also happy that we are growing from 1,000 man-years at the time of the merger in 2018 to over 1,300 now."
At the same time, Svenkerud continues, even though women are the majority in teaching and research positions as well, the situation is different among professors. Here we find a stronger male presence, although there are differences between the faculties.
"It is a bit peculiar," says Svenkerud, "that although women are the majority at all levels from students, university lecturers and doctoral candidates, it seems that we lose the women when they have completed their doctorate. We see that we as an institution have something to strive for. Figures from the Database for Higher Education (DBH) show that a lack of gender balance in higher academic positions is a national trend, and not specific to INN University.
"We must therefore continue our work, and look into further measures in the coming years, particularly measures aimed at our own employees," he concludes.
Increased awareness and competence
In February, INN University Board adopted a new action plan for equality, diversity and inclusion.
One of the measures implemented and completed in 2022 was a systematic analysis of INN University's challenges. Tonje Lauritzen and Marte Vikan Mykleby say that this has given the Institution a good basis for developing new initiatives. During 2023, INN University will launch a new course for managers at all levels which will help increase the level of awareness and competence among managers in the work towards increased equality and inclusion. The course will be web-based and provide opportunities for reflection and practical work, says Mykleby.
"We have several points for improvement, and we believe that the measures in the revised action plan for equality, diversity and inclusion will be an important tool for managers and employees at INN University in becoming a more diverse, equal and inclusive workplace," Lauritzen and Mykleby conclude.
Contact information
- peer.svenkerud@inn.no
- Phone
- +47 62 43 04 06
- tonje.lauritzen@inn.no
- Phone
- +47 61 28 84 57
This article was translated from Norwegian by Noorit Larsen.