New Electronic Resource through Stanford University

While the concept of gendered research is gaining momentum among researchers and funders alike, practical and applicable resources in the area remain scarce. An exciting new resource recently released by The Clayman Institute for Gender Research at Stanford University fills this need through an innovative and user-friendly platform. 

The Gendered Innovations in Science, Health & Medicine, and Engineering Project aims to develop practical methods of sex and gender analysis for scientists and engineers and to provide case studies as concrete illustrations of how sex and gender analysis leads to innovation. Through these multimedia resources, the team behind the effort hopes to promote the prospective analysis of sex and gender throughout all phases of research.


The website offers a myriad of resources related to gendered research, including methods, terms, and checklists, providing concrete steps for incorporating sex and gender analyses into health and biomedical research. Relevant case studies demonstrate how these analytical strategies can function in the real-world setting.

This effort marks a true step forward for gendered research. By training the next generation of researchers to both be aware of gendered perspectives and to integrate gender awareness from the first conceptualizations of a project, we can establish new standards of practice in gendered research. What is truly unique about this project is the approach taken to advocate for gendered research; gender is not overemphasized or underemphasized, but understood within its context and application. Gendered approaches are deemed unnecessary when they create divides that do not exist, but all the more necessary when used to distinguish inherent and organic differences. 


This resource clearly has great potential and utility. Looking forward, we will all need to lend a hand in disseminating the material and integrating it into practice. The BIRCWH team here at UIC is eager to explore this resource and begin to adapt some of the practical applications into our own practices.