This paper uses feminist institutionalism to analyse gender mainstreaming in European Union (EU) governance, specifically evaluation. In particular, we focus on the mainstreaming of gender in the practice of evaluation in EU research policy, from FP5 to Horizon 2020. Analysis begins by comparing the differing levels of institutionalisation of evaluation on the one hand and gender mainstreaming on the other; highlighting that whilst the former is a more firmly institutionalised element of governance in EU research policy (and in the Commission more broadly), the successful implementation of gender mainstreaming in EU research policy has waxed and waned over time. Analysis then turns to focus more specifically upon the mainstreaming of gender within evaluation itself. This empirical research highlights the weaknesses in the mainstreaming of gender in general evaluations, as well as the poor visibility of gender-specific evaluations. We use insights from feminist institutionalism to explore these empirical findings. We pay particular attention to institutional norms, contrasting the normative underpinning of the rational-technocratic bureaucracy of the European Commission with that of equality-focused gender mainstreaming. The apparent conflict between institutional norms is investigated as a potential explanatory factor for institutional resistance to gendered change. The aim of this research is to gain a greater understanding of the gendered nature of the European Commission, with a view to identifying institutional factors that constrain/enable the effective implementation of gender equality strategies (such as gender mainstreaming). In turn, our research can contribute to the development/refinement of gender equality strategies and tools specifically tailored to challenging the dominant gendered status quo of this particular institutional context.
