GRASS CEILING unites experienced scientists and emerging researchers from across Europe to explore gender equality in agriculture and rural areas.
Our interdisciplinary team—spanning sociology, rural studies, geography, economics, and innovation—advances research on women-led innovation in rural communities.
Beyond scientific publications and conferences, the project has captured public attention through media coverage, sharing the stories, achievements, and challenges of women innovators with a wider audience and inspiring change across Europe.
Scientific Publications
Shortall, S. (2025) ‘Breaking the grass ceiling: Gender inequality in agriculture’, Open Access Government, 47(1), pp. 430–431. doi:10.56367/oag-047-12106.
Dabkiene, V. et al. (2025) ‘From glass to grass ceiling: Addressing gender barriers in Agricultural Innovation’, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 212, p. 123957. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123957.
Shortall, S. and Meredith, D. (2024) ‘The Mirage of Research and Research Expertise: Reflections on leading Horizon Europe bids’, Sociologia Ruralis, 65(1). doi:10.1111/soru.12497.
Reinl, L., Kelliher, F., Tynan F., Shortall, S., and Prendergast, M. (Pending) Book chapter: Co-creating social learning strategies to support rural women-led innovation. Submited to ECBS ‘A research agenda for gender and innovation: key challenges and prospects for the future’.
Press and Media
(non-exhaustive list)
In English:
Vlastara, M. (2025) Breaking through barriers: The women driving rural innovation in Europe, Horizon Magazine.
In other languages:
Dabkienė, V. (2025) Mažiau auginami žemės ūkio augalai: jų vertė ir perspektyvos, Mano Ūkis (Lithuanian)
Baležentis, T., Dabkienė, V., Štreimikienė, D., Šikšnelytė-Butkienė, I., Šapolaitė, V. (2024) Moterų vaidmuo Europos šalių žemės ūkyje, Mano Ūkis (Lithuanian)
Helma Vermuë (LTO Vrouw en Debrijf president) interview (2024) (Dutch)
Royo, A. (2023) Investigación Internacional Desde Aragón Todavía Más Eficiente, Heraldo de Aragón (Spanish)
O.R.R. (2023) Palencia Coordinará Proyectos de Mujeres de Zonas despobladas de Castilla y León y Aragón, Tribuna de Palencia (Spanish)
