Progress toward gender equality in research has been made, but often uneven and slow. In this INSPIRE interview, Catherine Mavriplis, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ottawa in Canada, reflects on decades of work advancing opportunities for women and other underrepresented groups in STEM.

Advancing gender equality in research and innovation is shaped by a combination of policy frameworks, institutional practices and wider societal developments. While many organisations have introduced strategies and action plans, their effectiveness depends on how well they are integrated into governance structures and everyday decision-making. At the same time, recent challenges to equality and diversity initiatives highlight the need to reinforce and sustain progress over the long term.