Women in science for the benefit of society as a whole

2023/01/19 STEAM-Hezkuntza (Elhuyar Zientzia)

• Azokak, biltzarrak
• Berdintasuna
• Elhuyarren berriak

Twenty-four Basque entities have joined the Women in Science project, thus confirming their commitment to the objectives of the initiative: to make the work of women who work in science visible, to break with the idea that technical activities are a matter for men and to encourage girls and adolescents to choose science studies. With these objectives, the institutions have joined forces to organize a programme of joint activities on the occasion of the International Day of Women and the Girl Scientist, which is held annually on 11 February.

In addition, this year the organisations want to make a special effort to attract all the talent we have in the technological field, as in this way the solutions to the great challenges we as a society will come first. In this sense, “we want to emphasize that co-responsibility between women and men is fundamental to favor equal access and professional development for all people”, according to the organization of the project Women in Science. Therefore, “this year we want to make a special appeal and we want to invite everyone, regardless of gender, identity, profession or age, to participate in the actions”, they add.

The activities of the Women in Science 2023 initiative will mainly take place during the week from 8 to 17 February. They have designed a comprehensive programme with over 50 actions and surprises. With the incorporation of new centers into the project, different fields of research will be addressed, in order to transfer the message “science is a matter of girls” to as many people as possible. In addition, in this edition, thanks to the participation of the entities of Bizkaia, the geographical scope has been extended and the actions will be developed in Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia, mainly in the capitals.

To heat engines, this year will begin a festive atmosphere in Science Women on February 8 in Donostia. It will pay tribute to all the scientists and technologists working in the institutions and research centres attached to the initiative. In the same act, and as a novelty, the hymn Women in Science will be presented, formed by the artist Janus Lester and the ally of the cause. A hymn that gives a joyful rhythm to the initiative and serves to shake hands with the new allies and share responsibilities.

From that date, engineering and nanoscience workshops for adolescents will be held in Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia, where schools will be able to participate in a round table and visit several research centers, as well as a special academic orientation for teachers, in order to present real models of reference for future generations. One of the novelties this year that adds to the school offer is the activity of Vuelta al Cole. This activity will enable schools to bring our researchers closer to their classrooms. For families will offer the workshops of experiments Stars of Eureka Science! At the Science Museum, the game The Treasure of Science based on the popular treasure hunt game, and the funny scientific Ginkanas. Workshops have also been organized for women over 55 years of age to assess the role of adult women in cultural transmission. This action is entitled “The Power of Experience”, to which will be transmitted a series of short and simple experiments, feasible anywhere, to extend scientific culture to families and our environments. On the other hand, for the general public will be held the Women Scientific Event Yesterday and Today, in the Club Room of the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and in the Bilbao Bidebarrieta Library. Several women who work in different research centers will be on the stage to talk about their research and honor some of the greatest scientists in history, sharing their fascinating lives and scientific contributions.

The programme of activities is available at www.emakumeakzientzia .eus and the registration period for actions is now open.

The 24 entities participating in this 7th edition are an important exponent of the science and technology network in the Basque Country: School of Materials Physics (CFM CSIC-UPV/EHU), Achúcarro, CIC biomaGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, University of Deusto, POLYMAT, Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Basque Center, Applied Matics, BCAM

The Women in Science initiative has the special support of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Fomento de San Sebastián and the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), as well as the following entities and bodies: the General Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT)