Female-majority governing bodies at Sapienza

For the first time, the governing bodies of La Sapienza are female-dominated: the academic senate of the University of Rome is currently composed of 19 women and 16 men, representing the different souls of the university community (teaching staff, technical-administrative staff and students); while the board of directors has full gender parity, with five women and five men.

At Sapienza, the proportion of female professors has risen from 27.5% six years ago to around 31% today. In absolute terms, female first-rank professors have increased from 205 in 2020 to 316 in 2026, a growth of +54%, compared to a 31% increase among male colleagues, who have risen from 541 to 709 over the same period. Signs of balance also emerge in the early stages of the academic career, where female researchers account for 48%, and in the career upgrade stages with female associate professors representing 44% of the total.

Even in top positions, at departmental and faculty level, a progressive trend can be observed. In the leadership of departments, 18 out of 58 are headed by women, or 31%, compared to 22% six years ago. Among the University's 11 faculties, the number of female deans has grown significantly over the past six years, from 1 to 4.

The administrative-accounting management of Sapienza is also entrusted to a director-general, just as the heads of the various areas of the central administration are predominantly female: 7 out of 12 management areas are headed by women.

Lastly, the number of women within the student component is also growing, with an increase of approximately double that of men, confirming a dynamic of strengthening the female presence within the University. More specifically, the number of female students increased by almost 6,000 compared to 2020, rising from 60,816 to 66,506; while the number of enrolled students increased by about 3,000, rising in the same period from 44,290 to 47,719.