Gender quotas & positive action: An attack on meritocracy?
Publication type
report
Publication date
August 28, 2025
Author(s)
Cipriani, Nastassja
Colonnello, Claudia
K&I - Conoscenza e Innovazione
Holm Bodin Anna
Uppsala University
Solera, Cristina
Language
English
View point(s)
Global
Institutional
Abstract
Taking steps to address gender imbalances is essential to ensure women's career progress and promote diverse and inclusive research environments. Positive action (sometimes referred to as positive discrimination or affirmative action) is widely acknowledged as a crucial tool for achieving this goal. However, resistance persists, and opinions diverge about which are the most effective and valid strategies. Do gender quotas or economic incentives challenge meritocracy? Can balancing the numbers really improve institutions and knowledge?
This policy brief provides an overview of the multifaceted debate around positive action, the arguments for, arguments against, and pathways for implementation. The policy brief draws insight from the Gender Equality Plan development process of and interviews performed by MINDtheGEPs. It ends by presenting two case studies from Italian universities.