Labs 4 Change · Second Edition · April 20 – May 15, 2026
Beyond Gender Academy
Power, Diversity and Belonging in Higher Education
Duration: 24 hours - Format: Self-paced online - Language: English - Cost: Free - Co-funded by the EU - Only 40 spots available
A course to make universities more fair and inclusive
How can universities become more inclusive? This course gives you the knowledge and tools to bring gender, diversity, and inclusion into your teaching, research, and campus life. You will learn through real examples, practical activities, and a hands-on project you can apply in your own institution.
The Beyond Gender Academy is co-funded by the European Union as an Erasmus+ project, part of Labs4Change.
Who is it for: Professors, students, and professionals from all career paths.
- 24 hours learning
- 4 core modules
- 1 living lab project
- ∞ impact potential
What you'll achieve
Understand the basics:
Learn what gender, diversity, and inclusion mean in universities and why they matter.
See the full picture:
Explore how gender connects with class, ethnicity, ability, and other parts of identity.
Learn from real cases:
Study real examples and proven approaches to gender equity in academia, innovation, and communities.
Get practical tools:
Walk away with concrete methods to apply gender perspectives in your research, teaching, policies, and outreach.
The curriculum
Each module takes about 4 hours and can be completed at your own pace. The course ends with a Living Lab proposal — a hands-on project you can bring back to your institution.
Build your conceptual foundation for understanding power and identity
- Why Gender Perspective Matters
- A Brief History of Feminist Movements
- Intersectionality and Power Relations
- Migration, Multiculturalism, and Decolonial Theory
Explore feminist economic and ecological models that drive systemic change
- Feminist Sustainability
- Feminist Economics
- Power, Participation and Social Change
Apply equity lenses to physical, organizational, and environmental design
- Gender Bias in the Workplace
- Inclusive Businesses and Organizations
- Gender and Climate Justice
- Urbanism, Mobility, and Accessibility
Transform academia with inclusive research methods and organizational structures
- Gender Bias in Academia and Research
- Inclusive Learning and Organizational Structures
- Inclusive Research Methodologies
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: 16h self-paced modules + 8h Living Lab project
Commitment: 3–5 hours per week over 4 weeks
Certificate: Digital certificate upon completion
Cost: Free — Co-funded by the EU
Make a difference at your institution
Diversity drives better research, better teaching, and better outcomes. This course gives you the skills to lead that change where it matters most.
Bring it back to your team
By the end of the course, you will have a Living Lab proposal — a ready-to-use project to bring inclusion into your own organization or campus.
Ready to go Beyond Gender?
Join professors, students, and professionals from across Europe who are rethinking how universities work. Only 40 spots available — over 60% already taken. Register now before they fill up.
Dates: April 20th–May 15th 2026
Contact: laura@2811global.com
Created by:
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 April 20th to May 15th 2026. The course brings together professors, students, and professionals from universities around the world. Through four self-paced modules and a hands-on Living Lab project, you will gain practical tools to create real change in your institution. This is not just theory — everything you learn can be applied right away.
What will I be able to do after completing the course?
By the end, you will be able to:
- Explain why gender, diversity, and inclusion matter in universities
- Understand how gender connects with class, ethnicity, ability, and other dimensions
- Use proven frameworks to promote equity in academia and your community
- Apply gender perspectives in your research, teaching, and outreach
- Present a Living Lab proposal ready to implement at your institution
What is a Living Lab proposal?
A Living Lab is a hands-on project where you design a real solution for a challenge at your own institution, using what you learned in the course. It takes about 8 hours of the total 24-hour program. No previous experience with Living Labs is needed — the course guides you step by step.
Is the course content up to date?
Yes. The teaching team from Mondragón University, the University of Thessaly, and TU Dortmund regularly updates the content to reflect current research and debates.
Who is this course designed for?
This course is for professors, students, and professionals from universities 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. If you are not affiliated with a university, you are still very welcome: the course is open to anyone from any career path who wants practical tools to drive change in their environment.
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 100% online with no live sessions required. You can learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world between April 20th and May 15th 2026.
How much time do I need each week?
The course totals 24 hours: about 16 hours of modules and activities, plus around 8 hours for the Living Lab project. We recommend setting aside 3 to 5 hours per week.
Who are the instructors?
The course is created by a team from Mondragón University, the University of Thessaly, TU Dortmund, Dinamia, and 2811 Global. They bring expertise in gender studies, inclusive design, sustainability, and higher education. You will receive detailed profiles after registering.
Can I access the materials after the course ends?
Yes, for a limited time after completion. Write to laura@2811global.com for details.
Will I receive a certificate upon completing the course?
Yes. Participants who successfully complete all four modules and submit their Living Lab proposal 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, so early registration is encouraged. Sign up using the registration button on this page. For any questions, contact laura@2811global.com.
