Browsing by Title

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    A framework for a responsible circular economy
    (Elsevier, 2024-05-10) Purvis, B. ; Celebi, D. ; Pansera, M.
    The move towards a Circular Economy (CE) from the perspective of a ‘just transition’ necessitates an approach which deems stakeholder knowledge and agency as central. Under this paradigm the transition to a CE is conceived not as a technocratic challenge, but as a process of socioeconomic transformation grounded in principles of social and environmental justice. We suggest that Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), as an approach for considering the relation of science to wider society, in particular the constituent concepts of anticipation, inclusion, reflection, and responsiveness (Owen et al., 2013), presents itself as a lens through which we can embed considerations of justice within CE practices. In exploring these dimensions with a critical view to how the CE discourse has often failed to consider who will benefit from the transition to a CE, we present a framework for supporting the design of responsible CE practices. We argue that such a framework can provide a starting point for future refinement and enrichment of the decision context faced by the relevant groups in the course of the transition to a just CE.
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    A model of social responsibility for start-ups: developing a cross-fertilisation of responsible innovation, the lean start-up approach, and the quadruple helix approach
    (Taylor & Francis Online, 2023-10-11) Ryan, Mark ; Popa, Eugen Octav ; Genovese Andrea ; Berliri, Maresa ; Alfonsi, Alfonso ; Veloudis, Simeon
    In this paper, we cross-fertilise responsible innovation (RI), the Lean Start-up approach (LSA) and the Quadruple Helix approach (QH) within one model: the social responsibility for start-ups model (SRSM). SRSM aims to instil responsibility into the start-up innovation process by ensuring that the voices of stakeholders from all four helices are taken into account, whilst providing an assessment of current impacts in these areas compared with the ambition of start-ups. This helps to identify room for improvement in order to provide an iterative, lean approach for start-ups to inform the strategy of the start-up cycle, which incorporates the four helices of the QH, and the four process requirements found in RI theory (anticipation, reflexivity, inclusiveness, and responsiveness). This model works as a way to operationalize responsibility in start-ups. This paper fills a gap where there is a lack of suitable approaches for start-ups to follow and implement.
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    A model of social responsibility for start-ups: developing a cross-fertilisation of responsible innovation, the lean start-up approach, and the quadruple helix approach
    (Informa UK Limited, 2023-10-11) Veloudis, Simeon ; Ryan, Mark ; Popa, Eugen Octav ; Declich, Andrea ; Blok, Vincent ; Berliri, Maresa ; Alfonsi, Alfonso
    In this paper, we cross-fertilise responsible innovation (RI), the Lean Start-up approach (LSA) and the Quadruple Helix approach (QH) within one model: the social responsibility for start-ups model (SRSM). SRSM aims to instil responsibility into the start-up innovation process by ensuring that the voices of stakeholders from all four helices are taken into account, whilst providing an assessment of current impacts in these areas compared with the ambition of start-ups. This helps to identify room for improvement in order to provide an iterative, lean approach for start-ups to inform the strategy of the start-up cycle, which incorporates the four helices of the QH, and the four process requirements found in RI theory (anticipation, reflexivity, inclusiveness, and responsiveness). This model works as a way to operationalize responsibility in start-ups. This paper fills a gap where there is a lack of suitable approaches for start-ups to follow and implement.
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    A Neuroimaging Preparation Protocol Tailored for Autism
    (International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC, 2024-11-04) Maria Tziraki ; Shruti Garg ; Emma Harrison ; Neville B Wright ; Rob Hawkes ; Kapasi Akhtar ; Jonathan Green ; Stavros Stivaros
    This paper describes the key basic elements required for a successful multi-parametric MRI data acquisition in awake children with autism. The procedure was designed by taking into account methodological challenges arising from the acquisition of Resting State fMRI (RS fMRI) data, and factors such as cost, time, and staff availability. The ultimate aim was to prepare an imaging preparation protocol with high transferability to the whole autism spectrum, adaptable for use in a multi-site research with multiple time points. As part of a randomized pharmaco-intervention study, 31 children aged 4–10 years with Neurofibromatosis 1 and autism underwent MR imaging at baseline and end of intervention. The protocol consisted of tailored habituation instructions including gradual exposure to scanner noise, a social stories booklet, positive incentive strategies, and Play Therapy support. Success rate for initial acquisition was 71% for GABA+ MR spectroscopy at either location, 87% for perfusion, and 67% for diffusion assessment, and 71% for RS fMRI. Qualitative data indicated that 84% parents found the habituation protocol helpful. Lay Summary Here we describe a protocol for brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tailored for children with ASD to help reduce stress and avoid sedation during scanning. This procedure can make advanced medical imaging more accessible and promote a better MRI experience for families of children with ASD.
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    A Novel Permission Hierarchy for RBAC for Dealing with SoD in MAC Models
    (Oxford Academic, 2016-04) Veloudis, Simeon ; Nissanke, Nimal
    Separation of duty (SoD) is a fundamental principle of computer security that has not been addressed sufficiently in multi-level security (MLS) mandatory access control (MAC) models, as realized through the adoption of the Bell-LaPadula (BLP) model. This is due to the lack of means at present to express SoD constraints in MAC. The primary objective of this paper is to overcome this but within a framework that allows for rigour and linguistic features to express SoD constraints, while retaining the core security properties of BLP, namely the Simple Security Property and ★-Property. To this end, we propose a formal framework which bridges the BLP model with the more general hierarchical role-based access control (RBAC) model. Our framework is based on a hierarchy of permissions that is founded on a novel concept of permission capacity, determined on the basis of the security levels that characterize objects in MLS models. Such a hierarchy naturally provides a solid basis for defining role seniority and deriving a hierarchical ordering on roles within MLS models. SoD constraints are expressed by means of conflicting permissions that give rise to mutually exclusive roles.
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    A Personalized User Authentication System Based on EEG Signals
    (MDPI, 2022-09) Christos Stergiadis ; Vasiliki-Despoina Kostaridou ; Veloudis, Simeon ; Dimitrios Kazis ; Manousos Klados
    Abstract: Conventional biometrics have been employed in high-security user-authentication systems for over 20 years now. However, some of these modalities face low-security issues in common practice. Brainwave-based user authentication has emerged as a promising alternative method, as it overcomes some of these drawbacks and allows for continuous user authentication. In the present study, we address the problem of individual user variability, by proposing a data-driven Electroencephalography (EEG)-based authentication method. We introduce machine learning techniques, in order to reveal the optimal classification algorithm that best fits the data of each individual user, in a fast and efficient manner. A set of 15 power spectral features (delta, theta, lower alpha, higher alpha, and alpha) is extracted from three EEG channels. The results show that our approach can reliably grant or deny access to the user (mean accuracy of 95.6%), while at the same time poses a viable option for real-time applications, as the total time of the training procedure was kept under one minute.
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    A survey on the training needs of caregivers in five European countries
    (John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2020-03) George Pavlidis ; Carolyn Downs ; T Bartosz Kalinowski ; Ilona Swiatek-Barylska ; Lambros Lazuras ; Antonia Ypsilanti ; Marianna Tsatali
    Aim: This survey explored caregivers' perceived training needs in 5 European countries (United Kingdom, Greece, Bulgaria, Poland and Italy). Background: Training can enhance the professional capacity of caregivers; however, caregivers' training needs within Europe have not been examined recently. Methods: A survey conducted in 2015 captured data from 550 caregivers using a convenience sampling strategy, through a structured questionnaire and additional open-ended items and by conducting statistical and content analysis. Results: The results indicated basic nursing skills and specialization, as well as training in psychology-related skills like time management, emotion regulation, communication and advanced health care systems as the emerging training needs. There were some country differences in specific training need areas. Conclusions: It was concluded that training in basic nursing skills and specialization in nursing specific conditions, in advanced health care systems and in psychology-related skills could add to the professional capacity of European caregivers employed in health and social care. Implications for nursing management: The findings inform about employed caregivers' training needs in Europe, which may contribute in the provision of quality care and organisational efficiency in health and social care.
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    Achieving security-by-design through ontology-driven attribute-based access control in cloud environments
    ( 2019-04) Veloudis, Simeon ; Paraskakis, Iraklis ; Petsos, Christos ; Verginadis, Yannis ; Pationiotakis, Ioannis ; Gouvas, Panagiotis ; Mentzas, Grigoris
    The constantly increasing number of cyberattacks worldwide raise significant security concerns that generally deter small, medium and large enterprises from adopting the cloud paradigm and benefitting from the numerous advantages that it offers. One way to alleviate these concerns is to devise suitable policies that infuse adequate access controls into cloud services. However, the dynamicity inherent in cloud environments, coupled with the heterogeneous nature of cloud services, hinders the formulation of effective and interoperable access control policies that are suitable for the underlying domain of application. To this end, this work proposes an approach to the semantic representation of access control policies and, in particular, to the semantic representation of the context expressions incorporated in such policies. More specifically, the proposed approach enables stakeholders to accurately define the structure of their policies, in terms of relevant knowledge artefacts, and thus infuse into these policies their particular security and business requirements. This clearly leads to more effective policies, whilst it enables semantic reasoning about the abidance of policies by the prescribed structure. In order to alleviate the scalability concerns associated with semantic reasoning, the proposed approach introduces a reference implementation that extends XACML 3.0 with an expert system fused with reasoning capabilities through the incorporation of suitable meta-rules. Keywords: Context-aware security; Ontologies; Access control policies; Data privacy; Security-by-design; Semantic reasoning
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    An investigation of social entrepreneurial intentions formation among South-East European postgraduate students
    (Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2016-11-21) Kostas Politis ; Panayiotis Ketikidis ; Anastasios D. Diamantidis ; Lambros Lazuras
    Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the formation of social entrepreneurial intentions (SEIs) in postgraduate students in the South-East European region. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative approach (self-administered online questionnaire) is used to gather data. The total number of the questionnaires that were collected and analyzed through SPSS statistical suite was 115 from which 111 were valid. Findings – From the proposed five hypotheses set in the literature, only the personality trait theory was totally rejected because it failed to predict social and commercial entrepreneurial intentions (EIs). The remaining hypotheses were found to be valid. The study’s key finding is that the chosen theory (Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB)), is able to predict both kinds of intentions. An alarming key finding is that tensions in mission focus seem to be present in the early shaped intentions of potential social entrepreneurs. Research limitations/implications – Research findings impose that major educational and policy efforts are needed to promote the theme of social entrepreneurship (SE). The results indicate that most of the postgraduates have not yet fully understood the mindset of SE as they were confused about the synergy of the goals (inherent in their social vs profit intentions). Originality/value – This research contributes in three major ways to the literature. First, it shows that SEIs seem to be shaped similarly to EIs; determined mostly by two of the motivational factors of the TPB (personal attitude and perceived behavioral control). Second, it shows which factors seem to affect both constructs and third, it adds to the literature by showing that tensions in mission focus are evident early on in the intentions’ formation process, underlying the necessity of immediate educational and legislative precautions.
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    An Ontological Framework for Determining the Repercussions of Retirement Actions Targeted at Complex Access Control Policies in Cloud Environments
    ( 2017-12) Veloudis, Simeon ; Paraskakis, I. ; Petsos, Christos
    Veloudis S., Paraskakis I., Petsos C., (2017). An Ontological Framework for Determining the Repercussions of Retirement Actions Targeted at Complex Access Control Policies in Cloud Environments, Proceedings of the10th International Conference on Utility and Cloud Computing (UCC) pp 21-28, Austin, Texas, USA — December 05 - 08, 2017
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    An Ontological Framework for Reasoning about Relations between Complex Access Control Policies in Cloud Environments
    ( 2019-05) Veloudis, Simeon ; Paraskakis, I. ; Petsos, Christos
    By embracing the cloud computing paradigm enterprises are able to realise significant cost savings whilst boosting their agility and productivity. Yet, due mainly to security and privacy concerns, many enterprises are reluctant to migrate the storage and processing of their critical assets to the cloud. One way to alleviate these concerns, hence bolster the adoption of cloud computing, is to infuse suitable access control policies in cloud services. Nevertheless, the complexity inherent in such policies, stemming from the dynamic nature of cloud environments, calls for a framework capable of providing assurances with respect to the effectiveness of these policies. The work presented in this paper elaborates on such a framework. In particular, it proposes an approach for generically checking potential subsumption relations between access control policies that incorporate the contextual knowledge that characterises an access request and which needs to be taken into account for granting, or denying, the request. The proposed framework is expressed ontologically hence enabling automated reasoning, through semantic inferencing, about policy subsumption.
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    An Ontological Template for Context Expressions in Attribute-Based Access Control Policies
    ( 2017-04) Veloudis, Simeon ; Paraskakis, I. ; Petsos, Christos ; Verginadis, Yannis ; Pationiotakis, Ioannis ; Mentzas, Grigoris
    By taking up the cloud computing paradigm enterprises are able to realise significant cost savings whilst increasing their agility and productivity. However, due to security concerns, many enterprises are reluctant to migrate their critical data and operations to the cloud. One way to alleviate these concerns is to devise suitable policies that infuse adequate access controls into cloud services. However, the dynamicity inherent in cloud environments, coupled with the heterogeneous nature of cloud services, hinders the formulation of effective and interoperable access control policies that are suitable for the underlying domain of application. To this end, this work proposes an ontological template for the semantic representation of context expressions in access control policies. This template is underpinned by a suitable set of interrelated concepts that generically capture a wide range of contextual knowledge that must be considered during the evaluation of policies.
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    Arterial Stiffness Alterations in Simulated Microgravity and Reactive Sledge as a Countermeasure
    ( 2022-01) Agisilaos Krachtis ; Aliki Karkala ; Christos A Frantzidis ; Polyxeni T Gkivogkli ; Aristea I Ladas ; Felice Strollo ; Chrysoula Kourtidou-Papadeli
    Introduction: Experiments during spaceflight and simulated microgravity as head-down tilt bedrest, demonstrated the role of arterial stiffness among others, in microgravity induced cardiovascular pathologies and emphasized the need for a robust countermeasure. Aim: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of a new countermeasure, consisting of a high intensity Reactive Sledge (RSL) jumps training protocol, to counteract changes in arterial stiffness during long term head down tilt bedrest (LTBR). Methods: The participants enrolled in the study were 23 male, healthy volunteers, aged between 20 and 45 years, subjected to LTBR for 60 days and randomly assigned either to a control (11) or to a training sledge (12) group using RSL 3-4 times per week, as a countermeasure. Recorded values were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and the user's arterial stiffness index. Results: Compared to baseline measurements, there was a deterioration in the values of arterial stiffness, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, in both groups until day 35 of LTBR, interpreted as adaptation to the microgravity environment. From this day until the end of the experiment, arterial stiffness of the control group was constantly fluctuating, while constantly improving for the training group. During the recovery period, arterial stiffness values returned to the pre-experimental levels in both groups. Conclusions: Overall, arterial stiffness increased the longer the time spent in LTBR and the countermeasure was partially effective in preventing the observed phenomenon. German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00012946, September 18, 2017, retrospectively registered. Keywords: Arterial elasticity; Jump training; Pulse wave velocity; Simulated microgravity.
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    Automatic Recognition of Personality Profiles Using EEG Functional Connectivity during Emotional Processing
    (MDPI, 2020-05-03) Manousos A. Klados ; Panagiota Konstantinidi ; Rosalia Dacosta-Aguayo ; Vasiliki-Despoina Kostaridou ; Alessandro Vinciarelli ; Michalis Zervakis
    Personality is the characteristic set of an individual’s behavioral and emotional patterns that evolve from biological and environmental factors. The recognition of personality profiles is crucial in making human–computer interaction (HCI) applications realistic, more focused, and user friendly. The ability to recognize personality using neuroscientific data underpins the neurobiological basis of personality. This paper aims to automatically recognize personality, combining scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) and machine learning techniques. As the resting state EEG has not so far been proven e cient for predicting personality, we used EEG recordings elicited during emotion processing. This study was based on data from the AMIGOS dataset reflecting the response of 37 healthy participants. Brain networks and graph theoretical parameters were extracted from cleaned EEG signals, while each trait score was dichotomized into low- and high-level using the k-means algorithm. A feature selection algorithm was used afterwards to reduce the feature-set size to the best 10 features to describe each trait separately. Support vector machines (SVM) were finally employed to classify each instance. Our method achieved a classification accuracy of 83.8% for extraversion, 86.5% for agreeableness, 83.8% for conscientiousness, 83.8% for neuroticism, and 73% for openness.
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    Autonomic factors do not underlie the elevated self-disgust levels in Parkinson’s disease
    (PLOS ONE, 2021-09-02) Vasileia Aristotelidou ; Marianna Tsatali ; Paul G. Overton ; Vivas A.B.
    Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is manifested along with non-motor symptoms such as impairments in basic emotion regulation, recognition and expression. Yet, self-conscious emotion (SCEs) such as self-disgust, guilt and shame are under-investigated. Our previous research indicated that Parkinson patients have elevated levels of self-reported and induced self-disgust. However, the cause of that elevation–whether lower level biophysiological factors, or higher level cognitive factors, is unknown. Methods: To explore the former, we analysed Skin Conductance Response (SCR, measuring sympathetic activity) amplitude and high frequency Heart Rate Variability (HRV, measuring parasympathetic activity) across two emotion induction paradigms, one involving narrations of personal experiences of self-disgust, shame and guilt, and one targeting self-disgust selectively via images of the self. Both paradigms had a neutral condition. Results: Photo paradigm elicited significant changes in physiological responses in patients relative to controls—higher percentages of HRV in the high frequency range but lower SCR amplitudes, with patients to present lower responses compared to controls. In the narration paradigm, only guilt condition elicited significant SCR differences between groups. Conclusions: Consequently, lower level biophysiological factors are unlikely to cause elevated self-disgust levels in Parkinson’s disease, which by implication suggests that higher level cognitive factors may be responsible.
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    Bank Asset and Informational Quality
    ( 2020-02) Kladakis, George ; Chen, Lei ; Sotirios K. Bellos
    We examine the relationship between bank asset and informational quality. We use a diversified panel of 699 banks from 84 countries and measure opacity (lack of informational quality) with rating disagreements between issuer-specific ratings by three credit rating agencies (S&P, Moody’s and Fitch). Results from panel ordered logit regressions show that poor asset quality increases the probability of greater credit rating disagreements. Considering that the recent regulatory frameworks require from banks to reduce the worrying levels of non-performing loans and to increase transparency in their risk-taking, our findings have important policy implications.
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    Biculturalism, linguistic distance, and bilingual profile effects on the bilingual influence on cognition: A comprehensive multipopulation approach.
    ( 2021-04-15) Laketa, A ; Elisavet Chrysochoou ; Blakey, E. ; Vivas A.B.
    The idea that being bilingual benefits one’s cognitive development and performance has been greatly challenged over the last years. If such an effect exists, as some studies continue to show, it might actually be restricted to particular contexts and bilingual profiles; not unlikely, considering the enormous diversity in the latter across the world. In this study, we assessed 4 different bilingual populations (N = 201) and 2 monolingual populations (N = 105), in the Balkan region. We formed bilingual groups based on (a) acculturation strategy (bicultural vs. monocultural), (b) linguistic distance, as well as (c) bilingual profile (balanced vs. unbalanced), based on linguistic, affective, and acculturation measures and cluster analysis. Beyond prior work, this allowed us to explore the specific conditions under which any cognitive advantage may be observed in bilinguals. We did not find systematic evidence for positive effects of bilingualism, biculturalism, or a balanced bilingual profile on inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, monitoring, and proactive-reactive control management. The only evidence pointing to an advantage was restricted to Bosnian-Albanian bilinguals (linguistic distance analyses) and their general monitoring capacity. Acculturation strategy though, played an important role in shaping the bilinguals’ language profile, and appeared to have independent effects on cognition from bilingualism. On this basis, acculturation should be considered in future explorations of bilingual cognitive development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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    Breaking the curse: extracting strategic directions for hotel industry in Wuhan from TripAdvisor quantitative rating
    ( 2022-03-15) Niki Glaveli ; Stergios Palamas ; Chris Liassidis ; Evangelos Grigoroudis
    The coronavirus pandemic had a tremendous impact on the hotel industry worldwide. The present study highlights strategic directions for quality improvements and customer satisfaction enhancement in Wuhan hotels by applying Multiple Criteria Satisfaction Analysis to online user-generated satisfaction ratings. In total, 21.247 guest satisfaction ratings on four aspects of hotel stay (location, cleanliness, value for money and service) as well as on overall satisfaction for the 406 hotels listed for Wuhan on TripAdvisor were retrieved. The analysis revealed that convenient location is the most important satisfaction criterion for hotel guests’ satisfaction and that hotels perform well regarding this criterion. Also, cleanliness, value for moneyand service can be potential threats for customer satisfaction.
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    BRIDGING THE GENDER GAP IN STEM DISCIPLINES: AN RRI PERSPECTIVE
    ( 2020-11-11) Eleftherakis, George ; Michali ,Maria
    Over the recent years gender equality has been receiving increasing attention, both in accordance to the humanitarian perspective referring to individuals’ welfare and to the Humanitarian-Development Divide (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs and UNESCO Priority of Gender Equality), as well as in accordance to enhancing female representation in fields ‘traditionally’ encountered as male-dominated, namely the STEM-related disciplines. In relation to STEM, the gender gap is prominent in various fields −for instance in research and in academia─, and in Science and Technology occupations. According to She Figures 2018, Europe may be close to bridging the gender gap in the doctoral field (47,9% female doctoral students in 2016), but there are considerable differences in gender representation per field of expertise; females constitute less than 1/3 in STEM fields such as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Engineering-Manufacturing-Construction (21% and 29% in 2016 accordingly). A lack of diversity exists in the labour market as well, with only 30% of women with STEM qualifications in Europe having a relevant occupation; in other words, “a significant number of them take jobs in-non related roles, representing a loss of talent and potential and economic gains” (Salinas and Bagni, 2017, p. 721). Nevertheless, female inclusion in STEM does not rely only in augmenting female representation in terms of statistical percentages. Women face other prominent problems, like formal and informal recruitment-selection procedures hindering their advancement in science and especially in polytechnic careers (Carvalho and Santiago, 2010), while gender representations, ‘extra-organisational’ gender roles (Mills, 1988), or role models that encourage or discourage females from engaging in STEM are issues beginning to be addressed. Within the context of our study, gender (in)equality and related multi-layered interventions (i.e. not only referring to a higher numerical representation of women) are addressed in relation to STEM disciplines. These interventions are interrelated to some SDGs sub-objectives, to the European Commission’s ‘commands’ for gender equality in the European Research Area (ERA), as well as to the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). Firstly, Goal 5.B of the SDGs suggests to enhance the use of enabling technology and ICT to promote female empowerment, while the European Commission (EC) similarly introduces gender equality policy interventions in scientific fields and calls for action towards a proper integration of gender issues through specific proposals in EU Research&Innovation Programmes, namely Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 (European Commission, 2014). This is the focal point where these European initiatives are complemented by RRI. RRI refers to tackling contemporary societal challenges by aligning the values, needs and expectations of all actors involved in R&I systems. In the view of Von Schomberg (as cited in Owen et al, 2012) and his definition of RRI, “science and innovation are envisaged as being directed at, and undertaken towards, socially desirable and socially acceptable ends, through an inclusive and deliberative process” (p.753). These socially desirable ends actually seem to have been transformed to the six policy agendas that RRI addresses; the six RRI keys. Gender equality also belongs to these keys, and acquires multiple layers within RRI (depicted in Figure 1, which was designed according to the input from RRI tools website). Figure 1.RRI and Gender Equality Promoting gender-balanced research teams Breaking down gender stereotypes Ensuring gender-friendly workplace cultures Raising awareness towards gender-sensitive investment and funding Gender balance in decision-making Considering the gender dimension in R&I Gender Equality within RRI Source: RRI tools website Currently, several RRI initiatives foster female inclusion in STEM disciplines, and are related to projects implemented mainly during Framework Programme 7 (FP7) and Horizon 2020 (H2020). These projects set gender equality as a priority in various Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) with a STEM expertise, and proceed to the development of self-tailored Gender Equality Plans (GEPs). The GEPs aim to institutionalise gender equality, trigger structural transformations in the RPOs and reach a broad knowledge transfer which contributes to meeting various ERA objectives (e.g. priority 4). In a similar line of argument, the present study delves deeper into RRI initiatives towards gender equality, and examines FP7 and H2020 EU funded projects that foster gender diversity and female inclusion in STEM-related RPOs. Emphasis is on the RRI key of gender equality as opposed to the other keys, since it constitutes an emerging issue reflecting contemporary concerns. It is actually a multifaceted issue, as gender equality is not just a number problem and complementary activities should be implemented for ‘changing’ the scientific status quo. The aim of this study, therefore, is to critically analyse the innovation practices implemented within EU Gender Equality projects. While examining various RRI projects (approximately 80) included in the two major calls of FP7 and H2020, five Gender Equality projects have been selected through a two-stage selection procedure including criteria like innovativeness, stake, transparency and impact, and these projects have been further and more critically analysed: EQUAL-IST, STAGES, GENERA, GEECCO and PLOTINA. The subsequent aim is to identify tendencies (‘mega trends’) in the actions of European RPOs, when ameliorating their intimate mechanisms by developing new structures ensuring gender equality. It is worth highlighting that these projects have been considered as a source (a ‘container’ of practices) and the practices as the units of a qualitative analysis. Following the arguments of Braun et al and their six-step framework for conducting a qualitative analysis (2019), we refer to a reflexive thematic analysis of the data collected with an inductive orientation; the processes of coding and theme development have taken place by employing the NVivo software (Version 12; QSR International Pty Ltd, 2018) and the codes/themes developed have been directed by the content of the data. Patterns and regularities were afterwards identified for reaching certain conclusions. Finally, the thematic analysis has been clustered with an essentialist framework (Braun et al, 2019), where one can report an assumed reality evident in the data; the trends/tendencies detected are an assumed reality evident within the practices promoting gender equality in the scientific field. Ultimately, this study investigates promising interventions towards gender imbalance in STEM fields –as it has also been suggested by Gorvacheva et al (2019) in terms of future research in the corresponding topic− and thus functions as a ‘mapping’ tool depicting the European conditions and endorsing the successful RRI practices for ‘gendering’1 the STEM disciplines. However, it has a twofold contribution; it additionally draws valuable conclusions that resemble a set of suggestions and can be employed as such, for aiding STEM-related European actors in genuinely establishing gender equality in R&I processes. In a few words, these conclusions/suggestions, being based on the patterns detected, refer to the contextualization of RRI and the need to develop self-tailored GEPs, to the most common lines of intervention of the GEPs –namely encouraging female leadership in science, measures against horizontal segregation, (early) career development, work-life balance, training towards gender issues and gender-neutral communication, gendering scientific contents and methods etc.− as well as to co-creation processes that accompany the GEPs (e.g. collaborative platforms). Reference is also made to the impact (both internal and external) of the GEPs, and to whether it can contribute to restoring the principles of universalism and meritocracy in scientific ethos. Therefore, the above process −if encountered holistically− can lead to organisations and STEM-related disciplines that are aligned to contemporary societal concerns, and are truly response-able (i.e. able to provide responses to emerging situations and challenges) through innovation and re-search (i.e. continuous search). Of equal importance is that the new emerging definitions of smart societies can be enhanced; smart societies should not just embrace technology but also tackle societal ills (Haupt, 2017) in the way these are represented within the SDGs −and as mentioned gender equality is included in these goals. Finally, smart societies need a paradigmatic shift, while the term ‘paradigm’ refers to the common techniques and values that members of a scientific community share (Kuhn, 1962; Agamben, 2009), and the definition of the paradigmatic shift connotes a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline (Kuhn, 1962). Thus, gender-related practices within STEM disciplines shall replace the basic concept of males dominating this field and genuinely bring this shift, which actually refers to socially desirable ends and behaviors.
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    “Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM Disciplines: An RRI Perspective”
    ( 2020-11-11) Eleftherakis, George ; Michali ,Maria
    Over the recent years gender equality has been receiving increasing attention, both in accordance to the humanitarian perspective referring to individuals’ welfare and to the Humanitarian-Development Divide (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs and UNESCO Priority of Gender Equality), as well as in accordance to enhancing female representation in fields ‘traditionally’ encountered as male-dominated, namely the STEM-related disciplines. In relation to STEM, the gender gap is prominent in various fields −for instance in research and in academia─, and in Science and Technology occupations. According to She Figures 2018, Europe may be close to bridging the gender gap in the doctoral field (47,9% female doctoral students in 2016), but there are considerable differences in gender representation per field of expertise; females constitute less than 1/3 in STEM fields such as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Engineering-Manufacturing-Construction (21% and 29% in 2016 accordingly). A lack of diversity exists in the labour market as well, with only 30% of women with STEM qualifications in Europe having a relevant occupation; in other words, “a significant number of them take jobs in-non related roles, representing a loss of talent and potential and economic gains” (Salinas and Bagni, 2017, p. 721). Nevertheless, female inclusion in STEM does not rely only in augmenting female representation in terms of statistical percentages. Women face other prominent problems, like formal and informal recruitment-selection procedures hindering their advancement in science and especially in polytechnic careers (Carvalho and Santiago, 2010), while gender representations, ‘extra-organisational’ gender roles (Mills, 1988), or role models that encourage or discourage females from engaging in STEM are issues beginning to be addressed. Within the context of our study, gender (in)equality and related multi-layered interventions (i.e. not only referring to a higher numerical representation of women) are addressed in relation to STEM disciplines. These interventions are interrelated to some SDGs sub-objectives, to the European Commission’s ‘commands’ for gender equality in the European Research Area (ERA), as well as to the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). Firstly, Goal 5.B of the SDGs suggests to enhance the use of enabling technology and ICT to promote female empowerment, while the European Commission (EC) similarly introduces gender equality policy interventions in scientific fields and calls for action towards a proper integration of gender issues through specific proposals in EU Research&Innovation Programmes, namely Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 (European Commission, 2014). This is the focal point where these European initiatives are complemented by RRI. RRI refers to tackling contemporary societal challenges by aligning the values, needs and expectations of all actors involved in R&I systems. In the view of Von Schomberg (as cited in Owen et al, 2012) and his definition of RRI, “science and innovation are envisaged as being directed at, and undertaken towards, socially desirable and socially acceptable ends, through an inclusive and deliberative process” (p.753). These socially desirable ends actually seem to have been transformed to the six policy agendas that RRI addresses; the six RRI keys. Gender equality also belongs to these keys, and acquires multiple layers within RRI (depicted in Figure 1, which was designed according to the input from RRI tools website). Figure 1.RRI and Gender Equality Promoting gender-balanced research teams Breaking down gender stereotypes Ensuring gender-friendly workplace cultures Raising awareness towards gender-sensitive investment and funding Gender balance in decision-making Considering the gender dimension in R&I Gender Equality within RRI Source: RRI tools website Currently, several RRI initiatives foster female inclusion in STEM disciplines, and are related to projects implemented mainly during Framework Programme 7 (FP7) and Horizon 2020 (H2020). These projects set gender equality as a priority in various Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) with a STEM expertise, and proceed to the development of self-tailored Gender Equality Plans (GEPs). The GEPs aim to institutionalise gender equality, trigger structural transformations in the RPOs and reach a broad knowledge transfer which contributes to meeting various ERA objectives (e.g. priority 4). In a similar line of argument, the present study delves deeper into RRI initiatives towards gender equality, and examines FP7 and H2020 EU funded projects that foster gender diversity and female inclusion in STEM-related RPOs. Emphasis is on the RRI key of gender equality as opposed to the other keys, since it constitutes an emerging issue reflecting contemporary concerns. It is actually a multifaceted issue, as gender equality is not just a number problem and complementary activities should be implemented for ‘changing’ the scientific status quo. The aim of this study, therefore, is to critically analyse the innovation practices implemented within EU Gender Equality projects. While examining various RRI projects (approximately 80) included in the two major calls of FP7 and H2020, five Gender Equality projects have been selected through a two-stage selection procedure including criteria like innovativeness, stake, transparency and impact, and these projects have been further and more critically analysed: EQUAL-IST, STAGES, GENERA, GEECCO and PLOTINA. The subsequent aim is to identify tendencies (‘mega trends’) in the actions of European RPOs, when ameliorating their intimate mechanisms by developing new structures ensuring gender equality. It is worth highlighting that these projects have been considered as a source (a ‘container’ of practices) and the practices as the units of a qualitative analysis. Following the arguments of Braun et al and their six-step framework for conducting a qualitative analysis (2019), we refer to a reflexive thematic analysis of the data collected with an inductive orientation; the processes of coding and theme development have taken place by employing the NVivo software (Version 12; QSR International Pty Ltd, 2018) and the codes/themes developed have been directed by the content of the data. Patterns and regularities were afterwards identified for reaching certain conclusions. Finally, the thematic analysis has been clustered with an essentialist framework (Braun et al, 2019), where one can report an assumed reality evident in the data; the trends/tendencies detected are an assumed reality evident within the practices promoting gender equality in the scientific field. Ultimately, this study investigates promising interventions towards gender imbalance in STEM fields –as it has also been suggested by Gorvacheva et al (2019) in terms of future research in the corresponding topic− and thus functions as a ‘mapping’ tool depicting the European conditions and endorsing the successful RRI practices for ‘gendering’1 the STEM disciplines. However, it has a twofold contribution; it additionally draws valuable conclusions that resemble a set of suggestions and can be employed as such, for aiding STEM-related European actors in genuinely establishing gender equality in R&I processes. In a few words, these conclusions/suggestions, being based on the patterns detected, refer to the contextualization of RRI and the need to develop self-tailored GEPs, to the most common lines of intervention of the GEPs –namely encouraging female leadership in science, measures against horizontal segregation, (early) career development, work-life balance, training towards gender issues and gender-neutral communication, gendering scientific contents and methods etc.− as well as to co-creation processes that accompany the GEPs (e.g. collaborative platforms). Reference is also made to the impact (both internal and external) of the GEPs, and to whether it can contribute to restoring the principles of universalism and meritocracy in scientific ethos. Therefore, the above process −if encountered holistically− can lead to organisations and STEM-related disciplines that are aligned to contemporary societal concerns, and are truly response-able (i.e. able to provide responses to emerging situations and challenges) through innovation and re-search (i.e. continuous search). Of equal importance is that the new emerging definitions of smart societies can be enhanced; smart societies should not just embrace technology but also tackle societal ills (Haupt, 2017) in the way these are represented within the SDGs −and as mentioned gender equality is included in these goals. Finally, smart societies need a paradigmatic shift, while the term ‘paradigm’ refers to the common techniques and values that members of a scientific community share (Kuhn, 1962; Agamben, 2009), and the definition of the paradigmatic shift connotes a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline (Kuhn, 1962). Thus, gender-related practices within STEM disciplines shall replace the basic concept of males dominating this field and genuinely bring this shift, which actually refers to socially desirable ends and behaviors.