How can I integrate gender and diversity aspects?
into medical and health-related research?
The toolbox was created as part of Dr. Laura Wortmann 's fellowship in the BMFTR-funded project "UoC-IMPACT - University of Cologne IMPlementing Gender ASpeCTs in Research" at the Medical Faculty of the University of Cologne. The toolbox was developed by Dr. Laura Wortmann, members of the Sex, Gender and Diversity in Medical Research working group, the Vice Dean's Office for Academic Development and Equal Opportunities and doctors and clinicians at the University Hospital of Cologne.
This toolbox provides you with an introduction as well as numerous tips for a more in-depth examination of gender and diversity dimensions for your research projects.
Our goal is to provide the best evidence-based care for all people. To achieve this, medical research must take into account the diversity of human bodies and realities - including biological differences as well as social, cultural and structural factors. Gender and diversity are key determinants of health and disease, and influence symptoms, disease progression, diagnostics, treatment response and access to care. Nevertheless, many research approaches are still based on a supposedly "gender-neutral" standard, which makes real differences invisible and can therefore lead to distorted results.
The systematic consideration of gender and other diversity characteristics is therefore an essential component of scientifically sound and ethically responsible research. The Declaration of Helsinki also emphasizes that medical research must ensure access to evidence-based medical progress for all population groups(Declaration of Helsinki, 2013).
This is precisely where the toolbox for gender- and diversity-sensitive medical research comes in. It supports researchers in identifying relevant aspects of gender and diversity along the entire research process and systematically integrating them into their studies - from planning and data collection to analysis and publication. The aim is to combine scientific excellence with social relevance and create the basis for medicine that is fair to all people.
Current requirements and standards of research funding institutions and renowned journals
How can I integrate gender and diversity aspects into medical and health-related research?
Collection of helpful websites, articles and materials
A number of excellent tools already exist to support the integration of gender into research, including various resources and media
GAMMA Lunch Time Webinar
Lets Talk about Sex and Gender in Health Research
Talk (40 min., 25.03.2025): Lets Talk about Sex and Gender in Health Research
Speaker: Dr. Laura Wortmann (AG Geschlechtsspezifische Medizin, Faculty of Medicine OWL - University Bielefeld)
Laura Wortmann's talk will be introduced and rounded off with two flash talks:
Short Talks (5 Min.): Implementing Gender Aspects in Research at the UoC - a BMBF-funded Project presented by Dr. Lisa Krall (UoC IMPACT, Center for Gender Studies, UoC)
Short Talks (5 Min.): The Working Group "Sex, Gender and Diversity in Medical Research presented by Dr. Vanessa Romotzky (Working Group and Vice Dean's Office for Academic Development and Equal Opportunities, Faculty of Medicine)
Science poster
Sex in the Petri Dish: Integrating Biological Sex in Cellular and Tissue Research
Info-Grafik
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Or contact us at gender-impact@uni-koeln.de
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UoC-Impact: We implement structures for the integration of gender aspects in research!
