Intersectional Gender Equality Working Group Supports Strategic Research Proposals at RSU

As part of the initiatives led by the Intersectional Gender Equality Working Group, established under the INCLUDE project, a series of strategic consultations were held to promote gender equality and an inclusive research environment at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU). These consultations provided expert advisory support to researchers, ensuring that intersectional perspectives and sex / gender-sensitive methodologies are integrated into the early stages of project development. This initiative reflects the Working Group’s commitment to fostering a research culture that accounts for the diverse experiences of individuals across different social and biological categories.

As a direct result of these efforts, in 2026 three major project proposals were developed and submitted for competitive funding. These include two high-impact submissions to the Horizon Europe program: one from the RSU Institute of Microbiology and Virology focusing on patient-centered care and the tracking of post-exertional malaise cycles, and another from the RSU Scientific Laboratory of Molecular Genetics addressing sex and gender-specific mechanisms and determinants of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, a proposal was submitted to the Latvian Council of Science (FLPP) by the RSU Institute of Microbiology and Virology regarding the immunovirological drivers of endometriosis and associated infertility.

By providing targeted expertise in gender equality and inclusion, the Working Group ensures that RSU research remains at the forefront of modern, context-sensitive biomedicine. Integrating these dimensions into fields such as cardiovascular health, reproductive health, and chronic disease management not only enhances the scientific quality of the proposals but also aligns with international standards for excellence in research. This collaborative effort demonstrates how institutional support for intersectionality can bridge the gap between social equity and high-level biomedical innovation.