Omstilling mot balanse - OMBAL

Project summary

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) was established when Bergen University of Applied Sciences, Haugesund/Stord University College and Sogn og Fjordane University of Applied Sciences were merged in 2017. The merger entailed the establishment of five campuses, four faculties, and major changes in department structures. The HVL board has decided that the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FIN) will be merged with the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences (FØS) from 1 January 2024. The new Faculty, which as of today has not had a final name determined, will have a total of >420 employees and 5300 students, divided into diverse bachelor's, master's and 2.3 PhD programs. The merger in turn entails major changes in the faculty structure, the merger of departments/centres across campus, as well as new appointments in all management functions (levels 3 and 4). 

The gender distribution in top positions in the new faculty is particularly unbalanced in the subject areas of mathematics/natural sciences and technology, which make up around 70% of the entire faculty. The status at departments before the merger is, for example, male professors in 100% of the top positions at the Department of Mechanical and Marine Sciences, in 87% of the top positions at the Department of Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Natural Sciences, and in 83% of the top positions at the Department of Environmental and Natural Sciences. 

In order to be able to work systematically with a historical backlog of inequality in the new faculty, which already existed before Bergen University College was included in HVL, support is sought for the project and participation in BalanseHub, in order to be able to work most optimally with the gender balance among academic top positions in engineering education. The project focuses on system-oriented and career-enhancing measures aimed at lasting cultural change through management and organizational development, which promotes equality and diversity at the New Faculty at HVL. The application is coordinated by the management of the faculty and with a clear anchoring in the faculty management and key strategic documents and objectives.

Method

Mapping of gender balance, diversity and inclusion at the Faculty of technology, environmental and social sciences. Leader development through seminars and workshops.