This week we will inaugurate the programme of activities taking place between the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11), and ending the Women’s Day (March 8). These weeks are dedicated to reflection and discussion on women in science and equality, both focusing on the science career and the essential roles of women in all the jobs that make science possible.
These events aim to reach a broad and diverse audience. Addressing the lack of representation and challenges faced by certain groups in science is essential, as the people who do science shape science itself. Restricted access and the persistence of certain unfair dynamics can prevent scientific activity from reaching its full potential.
We encourage you to take part in the activities organised by the centre and to check the programmes and events that our colleagues are also participating.
Events at ICMAB
In this round table, the impact of different backgrounds on how science is conducted will be discussed. Cultural aspects of science, as well as issues of accessibility, will be explored from multiple perspectives. The event will be led by Paula Mayorga, Karla Mena, Samar Gharbi, Manoko Maubane, and Muling Zeng, women scientists from diverse backgrounds who will shed light on this important yet often overlooked topic.
🗓️13 February 2026, 10 AM - 12.30 PM
📍ICMAB - Sala d’Actes Carles Miravitlles
🗣️In English
Coffee Talk: “Science Does Not Happen by Itself: Gender Equality and Challenges in R&D”
Join us for an informal coffee discussion where we will explore everyday situations of gender inequality experienced by ICMAB staff. Through open dialogue and shared experiences, we will reflect on how these inequalities manifest in research environments and institutional life.
The session aims to foster awareness, encourage collective reflection, and generate concrete proposals to promote a more inclusive, fair, and supportive working environment for everyone in R&D. All staff are welcome to participate, listen, and contribute to the conversation.
🗓️10 March 2026, 11.30 AM
📍ICMAB terrace
🗣️In Catalan
Read the “ICMAB Decalogue of Good Practices” and put your knowledge to the test in the Kahoot quiz. There will be prizes!
🗓️11 February 2026 - 20 February 2026
📍At ICMAB-CSIC
🗣️Available in Catalan, Spanish and English
The gender dimension in science. Requirements from funding agencies and scientific publishers,
The inclusion of the gender dimension in research and innovation is now widely recognised as a key requirement for scientific quality, methodological rigor and social relevance. Major funding agencies and leading scientific publishers increasingly require researchers to explicitly address sex and/or gender analysis in their projects, or to provide a well-reasoned justification when it is not applicable. This presentation will introduce and discuss eight key steps for systematically integrating sex and/or gender considerations throughout the research process.
🗓️4 March 2026, 11 AM
📍ICMAB - Sala d’Actes Carles Miravitlles and ONLINE (Register here)
🗣️In Spanish
Exhibition of drawings “Day-to-day at ICMAB” by students from José Echegaray school
Based on a video showcasing the different jobs carried out by professional women at ICMAB, students from 1st to 6th grade at José Echegaray School were inspired to create drawings depicting how we work at ICMAB.
🗓️11 February 2026 – 8 March 2026
📍ICMAB Hall
🗣️In Catalan/English
ICMAB researchers participate in:
As every year, some ICMAB researchers will join the programme #Científiques. The initiative is organized by the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI) and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST). On February 11, dozens of female scientists will visit 6th-grade primary school and 1st-year secondary school students from Catalan educational centres to inspire and help overcome gender stereotypes, highlighting the talent of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Round Table: Women in Science
Noemí Contreras (NANOPTO) will participate in the round table about research from a gender perspective organized by the Students Group of the Royal Spanish Society of Physics (RSEF), with experiences from different physicists in different fields and levels of research.
🗓️12 February 2026, 5PM
📍Sala de Graus I, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
🗣️In Catalan
We hope that you enjoy this year's very complete set of activities!
Other years' 8M-11F celebrations:
Celebrating 11F-8M 2024 at ICMAB
From February 11 to March 8: ICMAB's commitment to gender equality in science
