Strengthening a weak policy area through monitoring: the case of gender equality in the European Research Area

This article focuses on the central role of monitoring in the implementation of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC). Referring to gender equality in the European Research Area (ERA), it demonstrates that the OMC has only been partially implemented due to a lack of policy discourse and monitoring. Consequently, the OMC's potential remains underutilised, particularly with regard to identifying best practice and supporting mutual learning. Based on an analysis of the implementation of gender equality policies in the ERA at a national level, the article identifies starting points for the further development of the OMC. These include: (1) establishing a gender equality discourse between the European Commission and the Member States with the aim of setting common gender equality objectives; (2) encouraging Member States to commit more firmly to gender equality; and (3) implementing meaningful monitoring procedures at both the European and national levels.