Gender Equality and Inclusion Research Unit - RIGE, Frederick University, Cyprus

Frederick University (FredU) is an energetic and vibrant private university operating in the Republic of Cyprus. Since its establishment (2007), FredU managed to achieve significant growth, both in terms of the student population, faculty members, and academic infrastructure. FredU employs about 250 (FTE) faculty, with 4500 students enrolled on average, and operates from two campuses. FredU is recognized as the University that offers novel and innovative programs of study that address societal needs and, primarily, as a university that exhibits high social sensitivity and responsibility. It offers a broad range of academic programs of study (more than 80) in the areas of Science, Engineering, Business, Arts, Architecture, Media, Humanities, Health, and Education. FredU has also developed the necessary experience and e-learning infrastructure for offering accredited programs of study through Distance Learning and has been awarded the E-xcellence Associates in Quality label. Furthermore, FredU hosts a "UNESCO Chair on Lifelong Learning and Adult Education" starting in 2020. In the same year, FredU joined the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), becoming one of the founding members of Cyprus' national network. At its first application for evaluation by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (2021) for actions against the seventeen SDG goals, FredU was ranked overall among the top 401-600 worldwide, scoring particularly high in SDG4 "Quality Education" (top 10%) and in SDG17 "Partnership for the Goals" (top 25%), reflecting its strategic aims towards the SDGs. As part of its internationalization strategy and further engagement with ERA and EEA, FredU has also joined EU CONEXUS a European University Alliance for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability. FredU's academic staff, either organized in multidisciplinary teams or individually, is involved in a wide range of research, educational and cultural activities relevant to their specializations. The research initiatives and activities that are being carried out by its faculty have been funded predominantly from external sources through competitive national and European programs, including Horizon2020, LIFE, ERASMUS+, LLP, FP7, and from Regional Funds (INTERREG). Besides the self-funded creative and other projects, the University staff has implemented or is currently running more than 300 RDI and consulting projects, the majority of which are coordinated by FredU faculty and researchers. The Gender Equality and Inclusion Research Unit - RIGE aims to identify and analyze gender inequalities in Higher Education and the society at large through academic research and implementation projects. The main activities of the Unit include: - Gender equality and inclusion in HEIs - Research on gender-based violence - Women and girls in STEM - Implementing projects for making Higher Education and society more inclusive and equal - Analyzing quantitative data and performing quantitative and qualitative studies and surveys about equity in Higher Education and society - Inclusive Design The team members of the RIGE Unit have interdisciplinary backgrounds to address all aspects of research on gender equality and inclusion.