The WIN-ITS 2 project aims to address the gender gap in the Nordic transport sector, with a particular focus on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). We have already established the Women in Nordic ITS (WIN-ITS) network, covering Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Estonia, and conducted a small-scale research study that pointed to the importance of changing norms and culture to mitigate the “leaky pipeline” effect, where women drop out of ITS careers due to aged norms, despite progress in company diversity policies and pay-gap initiatives. You can find our initial regional small scale research results here: Women in Nordic Intelligent Transport Systems | Survey Results – EIT Urban Mobility 

The problem arises from entrenched gender disparities in the transport sector (both from urban mobility modelling perspective as well as from technical careers perspective), persisting despite efforts such as gender equality policies and pay-gap reduction actions. The “leaky pipeline” phenomenon prevails within ITS careers and technical fields due to outdated norms and cultural biases. Active and inclusive dialogue is essential to reshape these norms, starting from the challenges posed by the inclusive green and digital transition in urban mobility. Mindful design of engagement and messaging are crucial to attracting diverse participants for constructive discussions on culture and norms, fostering positive changes in mindsets and attitudes across all genders. 

WIN-ITS 2 will conduct a series of online and in-person events to gather insights on identified key themes, such as data segregation, transport models and investment impacts on gender equity, which will then inform the creation of communication materials to be widely disseminated in Europe, thanks to EIT Urban Mobility’s pan-European reach, with the goal of fostering a more inclusive, diverse and gender-equal ITS sector. These insights are used to produce communication assets that can be made use by ongoing and future initiatives. 

The WIN-ITS 2 project aims to strengthen the new WIN-ITS network in the region to gain a footing through carefully curated industry and wider-public engagement in discussions around culture and norms. To ensure interest and engagement, it is understood that the conversation needs to start from the inclusive, green and digital transition of urban mobility and then touch upon the underlying impacts of culture and norms. Thanks to the project participants, we can influence change at different levels: EIT Urban Mobility (pan-European urban mobility innovation, EU policy, impact investments and life-long learning), Trivector Traffic (research activities, consultancy services to national and regional bodies, thought-leadership) and ITS organisations with their national industry members and stakeholders (policy perspectives, thought leadership and innovation). All of the project partners engage with a diverse range of stakeholders (large corporations, SMEs, startups, innovation centres, academia, public and third sector organisations).