Beyond Gender Academy
Power, Diversity and Belonging in Higher Education
Reimagining universities as engines of equity
This course examines the intersections of gender, diversity, and inclusion within higher education and society. Through critical analysis and hands-on activities, you’ll gain frameworks to embed gender perspectives into research, teaching, and community life, empowering institutions as true agents of transformation.
The Beyond Gender Academy is co-funded by the European Union, as an Erasmus+ project, and forms part of the activities of the Labs 4 Change project.
Four pillars of learning
Grasp Core Concepts
Understand the significance of gender, diversity, and inclusion in academic and societal contexts.
Apply Intersectional Thinking
Analyze how gender intersects with class, ethnicity, ability, and other dimensions of identity.
Strategize for Equity
Explore real-world case studies and frameworks promoting gender equity across academia, innovation, and community settings.
Build Practical Competence
Develop concrete tools to integrate gender perspectives into research, policy-making, teaching, and outreach.
Four modules,
one transformation
Each module is designed to be completed asynchronously (~3 hours each), culminating in a final project that puts learning into reality.
Who should join
Open to anyone working in or with universities who wants to make their institution more inclusive.
- University students
- Professors and lecturers
- University staff
- Researchers
- Academic leaders
- Community practitioners
Course details
Learning format: 12h asynchronous modules + 2h final project
Commitment: 2–4 hours per week over 4 weeks
Certificate: Digital certificate upon completion
Cost: Free — co-funded by the European Union
Dates: May 4 – June 4, 2026
Transform Your Institution
In today’s academic landscape, diversity is an essential driver of innovation. By participating in this course, you gain the skills to lead institutional transformation.
For Your Team
Strengthen your organization’s capacity for inclusion. Participants will design a final project — an Inclusion Action Plan — to apply their learning directly to their own institution or community.
Ready to go
Beyond Gender?
Join a global community of scholars, students, and practitioners reimagining higher education. Building on a successful first edition, spots for the second edition fill up quickly — early registration is encouraged.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Beyond Gender Academy?
The Beyond Gender Academy is a free online course about gender, diversity, and inclusion in universities. It is developed under the Labs 4 Change project and co-funded by the European Union. Now in its second edition, it runs from May 4th to June 4th 2026. The course brings together professors, students, and professionals from higher education institutions around the world. Through four asynchronous modules and a hands-on final project, participants gain both the conceptual frameworks and practical tools to drive meaningful, lasting change within their institutions and communities. Unlike purely theoretical programs, this course is rooted in real-world application and backed by a network of leading European academic institutions.
What will I be able to do after completing the course?
By the end of the program, you will be equipped to:
- Understand the significance of gender, diversity, and inclusion in academic and societal contexts
- Analyze how gender intersects with class, ethnicity, ability, and other dimensions of identity
- Apply real-world frameworks that promote gender equity across academia, innovation, and community settings
- Develop concrete tools to integrate gender perspectives into research, policy-making, teaching, and outreach
- Present an Inclusion Action Plan for your own institution or organization
What is the final project (Inclusion Action Plan)?
The final project is a short, hands-on piece of work where you design an Inclusion Action Plan — a practical proposal for addressing a real challenge at your own institution or organization using what you learned in the course. It takes about 2 hours of the total 14-hour program. No previous experience is needed: the course guides you step by step.
Is the course content up to date?
Yes. The teaching team — specialists from 2811 Global, Mondragón University, the University of Thessaly, and TU Dortmund — regularly reviews and updates the content to reflect the most current debates on gender, diversity, and inclusion in higher education.
Who is this course designed for?
This course is for professors, students, and professionals from higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world who are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion — including educators, researchers, and practitioners in fields such as public policy, human resources, urban planning, sustainability, or social innovation.
Can I participate if I’m not affiliated with a university?
Absolutely. While the course is particularly relevant for professors and students within higher education institutions, it is open to professionals from all career paths who are committed to driving equity, diversity, and inclusion. Whether you work in public policy, civil society, the private sector, or community organizations, the frameworks and tools offered in this course are designed to be applicable across a wide range of professional contexts.
What are the prerequisites?
None. The course is accessible to people from all disciplines and professional backgrounds, with no prior experience in gender studies required. An openness to critical and reflective learning — and a genuine commitment to equity — is all you need.
What language is the course taught in?
The course is taught entirely in English. An intermediate-to-advanced level is recommended (B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). If you have doubts about your level, write to laura@2811global.com.
Is the course fully online?
Yes, the course is entirely online and asynchronous — no mandatory live sessions. You can participate from anywhere in the world between May 4th and June 4th 2026.
How much time do I need to dedicate each week?
The course totals 14 hours: approximately 12 hours of module content, readings, and activities, plus around 2 hours for the final project. Each module becomes available at the start of its corresponding week, so we recommend setting aside 2 to 4 hours per week to keep a comfortable pace.
Who are the instructors?
The course is developed and facilitated by a multidisciplinary team from the Labs 4 Change partner institutions: Mondragón University, the University of Thessaly, TU Dortmund, Dinamia, and 2811 Global. Their expertise spans gender studies, feminist economics, inclusive design, sustainability, and higher education innovation. Detailed profiles will be shared upon registration.
Can I access the course materials after it ends?
Yes, for a set period after completion. Write to laura@2811global.com for details on access timeframes.
Will I receive a certificate upon completing the course?
Yes. Participants who successfully complete all four modules and submit their final project will receive a digital certificate of participation, issued under the Labs 4 Change project, co-funded by the European Union.
How much does the course cost?
The Beyond Gender Academy is completely free for all participants, thanks to European Union co-funding.
How do I register? Are spots limited?
Yes, the Academy welcomes a limited number of participants per edition to ensure a quality experience. Building on a successful first edition, spots for the second edition fill up quickly — early registration is encouraged. Sign up using our registration form. For any questions, contact laura@2811global.com.
