AGRIGEP Final Conference

Rooting Sustainable Change: Inclusive Gender Equality Plans in Agriculture and Life Sciences Universities in Central and Eastern Europe

📅 Date: 25 September 2025
📍 Venue: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), Faculty of Economics and Management (PEF), Room D107, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Praha – Suchdol
👥 Format: Hybrid

The Final Conference of the AGRIGEP project took place at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (ČZU), bringing together more than 80 participants from across Europe. The event fostered a vibrant and collegial atmosphere, filled with inspiring discussions and a strong sense of shared purpose. Researchers, policymakers, institutional leaders, and gender equality experts came together to reflect on lessons learned and to shape future strategies for more inclusive academic environments.

The conference was officially opened by Katharina Buse from the European Commission’s Research Executive Agency, who commended AGRIGEP’s pioneering role in advancing gender equality within agriculture and life sciences. In her remarks, she emphasized that the project has become a model of how leadership and institutional commitment can drive meaningful and lasting change.

Participants were also welcomed by representatives of ČZU leadership, including Vice-Rector Michal Lošťák, who underlined the university’s dedication to promoting inclusive, equitable, and forward-looking research environments.

A keynote address by Marcela Linková, Head of the Centre for Gender and Science at the Czech Academy of Sciences, explored the indispensable yet often vulnerable role of agents of change in institutional transformation.

Lively panel discussions followed, reflecting on key insights from the first generation of Gender Equality Plans (GEP 1.0) and outlining priorities for the next phase, GEP 2.0. Distinguished experts, including Margreet van der Burg from Wageningen University, contributed intersectional perspectives and valuable insights into the connections between gender equality, innovation, and sustainability.

One of the highlights of the day was the engaging poster session, where students and early-career researchers presented their work in a friendly and open setting. The session created space for informal dialogue, networking, and the exchange of fresh ideas.

The conference concluded with a clear and inspiring message: achieving sustainable gender equality requires leadership commitment, institutional courage, and collective engagement.

With its warm and constructive spirit, the AGRIGEP Final Conference at ČZU was not only a reflection on what has been achieved, but also a celebration of teamwork, shared learning, and inspiration for the future.