In the second week of February, the ICN2 will be joining other research centres around the world to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Find out more here.
“Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Unfortunately, women and girls continued to be excluded from participating fully in science” – United Nations
“More than ever today, the world needs science and science needs women” – UNESCO
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established in 2016 by the United Nations in a bid to raise awareness of the persistent gender gap in world research. At the ICN2 we fully share the views of the international community on the participation of women in science. As such, and joining the Spanish national "11F" initiative, we have organised a series of events that, in different ways, aim to provide a platform to hear from the women who have made it in science, celebrating their achievements while also addressing head on some of the challenges to achieving full parity.
On 12 February we will be hosting a talk by Xavier Roqué of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona’s Centre for the Study and Research of the History of Science. With the title, “Re-reading Marie Curie”, it emphasises the relevance, even today, of this eminent scientist’s approach to the pursuit of excellence, and to the obstacles she faced as a woman in science. This event is open to the public.
Then on 13 February is the ICN2’s event "Celebrating Women in Science", which will see many of our very own women in science taking the stage to talk about their journeys so far, sharing anecdotes, tips and best practices with the younger ICN2 scientists hoping to follow in their footsteps. The event will also feature prominent women from outside of the ICN2 who have earned positions of influence within the research community. Places at this conference are limited.
Also within the framework of "11F", on 14 February senior researcher César Moreno of the ICN2 Atomic Manipulation and Spectroscopy Group will be giving a talk to secondary school students at the Escola Voramar in Barcelona with the title "Women in science that changed the world".
CSIC Research Prof. Laura M. Lechuga will also be giving a talk at a secondary school in Cádiz on nanotechnology with the title "Nanotechnology: the strength of the very small".
"11F" is a two week celebration at national level to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. From the 1 to 15 February it aims to hold the nation’s attention with a range of activities that raise the profile of the work of female scientists and promote best practices for achieving gender parity in science.