ISABIAL, FISABIO, IIS La Fe, INCLIVA and the Príncipe Felipe Center organize activities to bring research closer to girls
The Director General for Research and Innovation, Mariola Peñadés, is committed to “building a world where talent and excellence know no gender limits”v
Alicante (11/02/24). Around 63% of the research staff working in the foundations, institutes and research centers of the Regional Ministry of Health are women
With the aim of continuing to promote gender equality in the scientific field, the Regional Ministry of Health carries out various initiatives throughout the year, activities that intensify in the coming weeks to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated today, February 11, in recognition of the role of women and girls in science as agents of change
In this regard, the Director General for Research and Innovation, Mariola Peñadés, is committed to “building a world where talent and excellence know no gender limits,” and underlines the importance of bringing research and science closer to younger audiences. To this end, various events and activities will be held in the coming weeks “to raise awareness about research without a gender perspective and to encourage scientific vocations among younger people,” she explained
Among these activities is the video contest for teenagers “De mayor vull ser com…”, aimed at encouraging young students to research and identify female role models in scientific, technological and innovative disciplines, as well as to promote equal opportunities in this professional field. Specifically, this video contest is intended for students in Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO), high school and vocational training in the Valencian Community
“De mayor vull ser com…” is made possible thanks to a collaboration agreement between the Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (FISABIO), the Health Research Institute of Clínico Hospital of Valencia (INCLIVA), the La Fe Health Research Institute (IIS La Fe), the Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), and the University of Valencia (UV) to promote joint activities for the dissemination, communication and promotion of research, development and innovation
The call for entries for this year began in December and has broken participation records. This competition allows young people to research and identify female role models or groups of women in scientific, technological and innovative disciplines. The awards ceremony will take place in March.
At this event, the Regional Ministry of Health will present institutional recognition diplomas to healthcare research projects that incorporate a gender perspective in their design and include gender-based criteria in their experimental approach. It will also recognize the implementation of equality plans in the health research institutes and foundations of the Valencian Community.
Future scientists
The La Fe Health Research Institute (IIS La Fe), for its part, is joining this year’s celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with initiatives such as the “From Girl to Scientist” campaign, in which IIS La Fe researchers have addressed future scientists through social media, sharing messages based on their personal experience and profession. “It is important that we share our stories as women scientists. If the story of each of us inspires even one young person, it will have been worthwhile to share our experiences,” said Mariola Peñadés.
Likewise, researchers from the Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis research group will visit on February 12 children and adolescents admitted to La Fe Hospital who continue their academic training through the Hospital Classroom–La Fe School unit. In collaboration with this unit, the researchers will give a talk to younger students (Primary Education). Afterwards, older students (Secondary Education) will visit the laboratories and facilities of IIS La Fe, where they will learn first-hand about biomedical research.
As every year, researchers from this center also visit educational institutions where they give talks about their personal and professional experience as researchers, with the aim of inspiring future generations.
The FISABIO Foundation, in addition to actively participating in “De mayor vull ser com…”, has shared a video on social media in which two of its researchers, together with the Director General for Research and Innovation, Mariola Peñadés, explain what inspired them to pursue a scientific career, what future they would like for science, and what still remains to be achieved in this field.
For its part, the Príncipe Felipe Research Center will host this Monday, February 12, the VII National Conference on Female Researchers in Rare Diseases. Researchers from this center also give talks in schools and institutions and take part in lecture programs such as those organized by the CSIC Science House: “What if I want to become a researcher?”.
For its part, the Príncipe Felipe Research Center will host this Monday, February 12, the VII National Conference on Female Researchers in Rare Diseases. Researchers from this center also give talks in schools and institutions and take part in lecture programs such as those organized by the CSIC Science House: “What if I want to become a researcher?”.
Along these lines, ISABIAL held a research session with a gender perspective last Thursday in the assembly hall of Dr. Balmis General University Hospital in Alicante.
Also in relation to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, three researchers from three different INCLIVA areas have participated in a meeting where they discussed women’s leadership in science. In addition, INCLIVA works on a Female Leadership Program.