Unfortunately, the disruptive power of new digital technologies appears to be limited to technology and business models and has not yet impacted the issue of gender diversity. Digital entrepreneurship and the media industry are faced by a stagnation of women in leadership positions and the continued depletion of female technology talent. For the digital economy to truly reach its potential, the gender imbalance must be confronted and addressed at all levels of the society. Higher Educational Programs are important social and economic change agents towards gender equality and diversity. The primary goal of the project is therefore to develop a master programme curriculum for digital entrepreneurship in application of innovative gender mainstreaming approaches. Gender sensitive approaches are of utmost importance to secure that digital goods and services are designed inclusively for the specific needs and gendered preferences of women and men, and that women are equally present and represented in the digital economy to tap its positive potential in social change and sustainable growth. Taking into consideration findings from feminist (media) economics, entrepreneurship and information systems on the gendered structures of entrepreneurship and information systems, the project aims to contribute to the successful innovation and commercialization of digital goods and services and the creation of businesses that will enact gender equality at all levels of the society and economy. More specifically, the project team will start with market research on established programs tackling aspects of digital entrepreneurship and how they approach gender dimensions. Next, a gap analysis will be carried out to identify critical needs in learning objectives, digital and gender competences. On these grounds, the project partners will design the high-level structure of the EQUALdigitalent curriculum. Building on this structure the respective modules will be defined and described including the elaboration of innovative physical and virtual course materials. In parallel, didactical guidelines on engendering, enhancing and practicing digital skills in each module and across subjects will be developed. Once module descriptions are available, the project partners will select one or two modules that are especially prone for testing and evaluating the effectiveness of raising awareness for gender issues while acquiring and implementing theoretical knowledge of digital entrepreneurship. The chosen module will then be tested in the form of electives and further educational courses. Findings from these test-runs will be used for final improvements of the curriculum for digital entrepreneurship. The main deliverables of the project comprise a fully engendered reference curriculum for digital entrepreneurship including didactical guidelines, physical and virtual course material. Furthermore, learnings and findings from the test-runs will be shared with the scientific community and other stakeholders such as political institutions, firms and other interested parties. Results will be delivered in the forms of reports, academic paper and presentations, national and international workshops and broader media coverage.The project will be carried out by a consortium of the University of Liechtenstein (applicant), the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR), the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) and the Catholic Social Academy of Austria (KSOE). All organizations promote gender equality and diversity in their own organizations including teaching and training offerings. The consortium was established on 1) the shared values and understanding of the importance of gender equality and diversity, 2) the skills, competences and available resources to create an attractive program for a fully engendered digital entrepreneurship curriculum, and 3) the diversity in organizations addressing both higher education (Universities) and further vocational trainings, e.g. addressing digital skill needs of women aiming for self-employment (Catholic Social Academy). The key participants (Dr. Barbara Fuchs: Uni Lie, Prof. Heike Wiesner and Prof. M. Tomenendal (HWR Berlin), Prof. Andrea Grisold (WU) and Mag.a Margit Appel (KSOE) all have vast experience in the design, implementation and evaluation of higher educational curricula and programs and contribute expert knowledge in their specific disciplines including business administration, entrepreneurship, economics, information systems, digital technologies and political science. Education and training are key to empower women in the digital age and to foster a society with future viability. Thus, the project is designed to have a strong impact on the higher education in the field of entrepreneurship by training and enabling female and male student to become leading digital entrepreneurs and to commit themselves to the closing of the existing gender gap in the digital economy.
Context / background of the project: 'Gender Equality in Digital Entrepreneurship' is a cross-country strategic partnership focusing on the issue of digital entrepreneurship and gender equality in a European context. This partnership is based on a key objective of the Erasmus+ programme, which aims at promoting equality and development of female entrepreneurs. The EQUALdigitalent project contributes to gender mainstreaming by developing a gender-sensitive master level curriculum in digital entrepreneurship delivering all elements according to the Bologna Reform. To stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation the European Commission innovative entrepreneurial programmes need to be developed. In line with a newly defined master programme ”Gender Equality in Digital Entrepreneurship” at three partner institutions in Liechtenstein, Austria, and Germany, four different learning courses have been drafted, developed, tested, and evaluated. For each course different teaching methods were combined with distinct gender and diversity approaches. Results of a four-step learning evaluation process are provided, while improvement opportunities and learnings are derived. Objectives: 1) Develop a strong international cooperation between all partner organisations for the promotion of gender equality in the digital economy; 2) Deliver a fully engendered master curriculum for digital entrepreneurship; 3) Contribute recommendations on single modules for electives in established master programs and further educational programs that serve to empower women and offer firms and public organizations opportunities to learn and improve their ways in fostering gender diversity in design, implementation and use of ICT and digital services. Number and profile of participating organizations: Lead Partner: University Liechtenstein: an internationally recognized top-rated university, with teaching and research being closely interlinked. • top-rated owing to its close connection between study • Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR), a leading business school and most distinguished academic institution for business studies and post-graduate management education in German • Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), EU's largest educational institution for business and economics, business law, and social sciences • Catholic Social Academy of Austra (KSOE), practice research, education and training organization in the fields of social analysis, political adult education and organizational development. Description of undertaken main activities: The intellectual outputs of this project were: • 01: Program design for a gender mainstreamed master curriculum in digital entrepreneurship • 02: Program course material (both physical and virtual) • 03: Critical module test run as elective and further educational modules in established channels • 04: Evaluation report on key modules intertwining gender and theoretical contents • 05: Dissemination of results Project results and impact attained: Gender-sensitive education is of paramount importance in ensuring that digital goods and services are designed to meet the specific needs and gender preferences of both women and men, so that women and men are equally represented in the digital economy. Gender mainstreamed teaching of theoretical and practical contents in critical disciplines of entrepreneurship, information systems and digital business management has been elaborated with real world experience and test regarding learning objectives, teaching contents, course material and didactical approach. • Program design of a gender-sensitive, interdisciplinary master's program "Gender Equality in Digital Entrepreneurship", incl. selected course materials • Didactic guidelines for gender-sensitive teaching • Evaluation and improvement of the tested modules • Dissemination activities such as conference contributions, workshops and publications Overall impact was assured through: 1) Raised quality of education through the use of learning analytics and learning semantics. 2) Supported open learning environments and opportunities to innovate for organisations, teachers and learners. 3) Increased open educational resources and provided opportunities to use open knowledge for better quality and access. 4) Connected and innovated through partnerships for infrastructures, new products, services, interoperability. 5) Promoted innovative collaborative teaching and learning. 6) Opened up (virtual or physical) infrastructures of education and training institutions to adult learning and provision of modular certified learning opportunities 7) Improved quality and relevance of higher education to make it more diversified, responsive and competitive 8) Supported transnational cooperation focusing on emerging issues. Potential long-term benefit: 1) Sustainability and maintenance of project results and impact through website and other project outputs and resources. 2) Development of new partnerships an