The Gender Summits are dedicated to supporting and advancing excellence and effectiveness of research and innovation at all levels, through the inclusion of gender. The overarching theme of the events is "Quality Research and Innovation through Equality". In 2011 and 2012 the events had a specifically European focus. The European Gender Summits provided a forum for stakeholders from research, industry and policy to jointly explore how gendered methodologies can stimulate innovation and advance scientific excellence. The summit mapped the current state of knowledge, provided a forum for interdisciplinary debate and drew up concrete action plans for research and innovation policy. The European Gender Summit 2012, under the sub-theme 'Aligning Agendas for Excellence', took place on 29 -30 Nov 2012. The main venue was be the European Parliament in Brussels, sending a clear signal that the gender equality in science deserves the highest policy attention.
2013 sees the Gender Summit take on a North American focus and sets the stage for global exchange.