The need to enhance gender equality and diversity still affects technical-oriented disciplines, with only 19% of people in management positions in the ICT sector being female. Gender equality, as well as broader diversity and inclusiveness, is part of the Ljubljana Declaration on Gender Equality in Research and Innovation. As women, especially in vulnerable contexts (activists, journalists, victims of abuse), often rely on secure communications, research on PQC can enhance protections against future cyber threats, improving safety in online spaces.
In order to improve quality and equity in research and innovation, QARC will promote the recruitment of young researchers from underrepresented groups, including women and minorities, reaching out to the consortium member communities with the establishment of mentorship programs where senior researchers guide and support early-career professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. This initiative aims to foster diverse thinking and problem-solving approaches within the project.
This initiative is reflected in the training and dissemination activities of WP6. Specifically, Task 6.1 “Development and Implementation of Communication and Dissemination strategy” will organize training events on project results, ensuring inclusiveness and gender balance. Additionally, the project is committed to promoting diversity in recruitment, with a dedicated Project Equity Board (PEB) that will monitor progress, including metrics such as the number of young researchers involved, equity in leadership and participation in training programs.
In WP4, Tasks T4.1, T4.2, T4.3 and T4.4, the role of sex and gender as key factors in the overall QARC solution design is addressed. Although our use cases are not directly related to diversity and equality, the impact comes from how diverse groups approach challenges, risks, and solutions within these fields. Gender, cultural background, and technical knowledge can influence system adoption, accessibility, and perceptions of privacy and trust.
Recognizing that different groups may interact with authentication systems in unique ways, this approach can reduce vulnerabilities that arise from misalignment between technical solutions and real-world usage, taking advantage of the diversity of our teams and consortium’s structure with partners across Europe. If post-quantum security tools are not equitably distributed, marginalized groups—including women in underserved regions—might lack access to stronger privacy tools, widening digital divides. During the pilot, users will be involved to understand the gender- , regional- and cultural-related differences in the use of digital technology, including data safety aspects.
Furthermore, QARC is committed to gender equity in leadership, ensuring that leadership positions are equally divided across genders. As PQC standards and implementations shaped without diverse input may overlook unique needs or challenges faced by women in tech and beyond. Inclusion in policy development is critical. Therefore, the balanced representation enhances decision-making and reflects our dedication to inclusiveness at all levels of the project.