Portia – Gender Summits

Since 2011, the Gender Summits, initiated by Portia, have brought together researchers, policymakers, funders and practitioners from around the world to examine how gender influences research systems and outcomes. These global gatherings create space for evidence-based dialogue on how science participation can become more inclusive and how research systems can better address gender disparities.

The Gender Summit platform uses emerging research and cross-sector collaboration to examine how biological, gender and social factors influence research participation, priorities and impact. By convening diverse stakeholders, the summits support the development of shared strategies and coordinated action to address persistent gaps in representation and opportunity within science and innovation systems.

With support from the Elsevier Foundation, recent Gender Summits have adopted a hybrid model combining online engagement with regional in-person hubs. This format enables wider participation across geographies while maintaining opportunities for focused discussion and policy dialogue.

What do we do

The partnership supports the Gender Summit platform as a global forum for dialogue and collaboration on gender equity in research and innovation. By convening diverse stakeholders across sectors and geographies, the initiative fosters shared understanding of how gender bias and inequality influence research participation, priorities and outcomes. The platform helps translate research insights into coordinated action, encouraging institutions and policymakers to develop strategies that address systemic barriers within research ecosystems.

How do we deliver

The Gender Summit delivers impact through international convenings that combine knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and collaborative planning.

• Hybrid summit formats bring together global online audiences with regional in-person discussions, enabling broader participation while maintaining meaningful engagement among researchers, institutions and decision makers. These events highlight new research findings, analytical approaches and practical interventions that address the interaction between biological, gender and social inequalities in science.
• The platform also catalyzes partnerships and consultations that help shape action plans and strategic roadmaps for advancing gender equity in research systems. By facilitating sustained dialogue across disciplines and sectors, the Gender Summit helps translate evidence into collective action.