A Dutch university is appointing only female academic staff for at least the next 18 months to improve its gender balance.
Eindhoven University of Technology, located in an area known for its hi-tech business, has the Netherlands' lowest proportion of women in its academic workforce.
After years of missing targets, the university has taken what it calls a "bold" move. A new programme, the Irene Curie Fellowship, named after the daughter of Marie Curie, the celebrated scientist, has been established to appoint only female professors, associate and assistant professors.
"Our objectives to increase the number of women are years old, and we are not getting there," said Ivo Jongsma, a science information officer.
"It's difficult to pinpoint the specific reason but we are convinced that we have this implicit gender bias, and even women who are hiring think a man will do the job better."