Four professionals from the Parc Taulí Research and Innovation Institute (I3PT) participated today in a round table at Sabadell Radio to commemorate theFebruary 11, International Day of Women and Girls in Science, an event that aims to highlight the role of women in the scientific field and promote gender equality in research.
The discussion brought together four voices with diverse professional backgrounds and roles within the biomedical field, with the aim of sharing both their experiences and reflections on the present and future of science from a gender perspective.
Diversity of paths, a common goal
The four participants have provided complementary perspectives on the presence of women in the scientific world:
Anna Ullastres (left) and Lorena Muñoz (right)
🎙️ Anna Ullastres, biologist, assistant to the scientific director and head of the scientific area of the I3PT, has highlighted the moment when many women consider whether or not to continue in their research career, influenced by factors such as vocation, job stability and personal balance. According to Ullastres, the famous “gender scissors” —the decline in female presence as research careers progress— is not accidental and is reinforced by the lack of visible references.
🎙️ Lorena Muñoz, project manager of the Innovation Unit, shared how, despite the high presence of women in biomedicine, historical visibility has been lower, and highlighted the importance of recognizing and giving voice to diverse trajectories. She also stressed the role of outreach to young people as a tool to promote scientific vocations.
Judith Guitart (left) and Aina Siscart (right)
🎙️ Judith Guitart, a postdoctoral researcher at I3PT, explained the lack of close role models in her childhood and stressed the importance of making today's female scientists visible so that future generations can identify with them. She also highlighted the importance of promoting institutional initiatives and support so that scientific careers are not interrupted by starting a family.
🎙️ Aina Siscart, data manager in the Research Support Unit, highlighted the fact that although many women pursue biomedical careers, leadership positions and major projects have traditionally been held by men. This highlights the need to promote equitable opportunities and recognition.
Visibility, equality and scientific vocations
The participants agreed that, despite the progress made in recent years, structural and perceptual obstacles still persist that make it difficult to achieve real equality of conditions for women in scientific research. Among the most prominent aspects: the need to strengthen visible female role models, promote policies of family balance and work flexibility, encourage vocations among girls and young people so that they consider science as a real professional option.
A new edition of the “Crazy for Innovation” workshop
In parallel with this initiative, and with the aim of highlighting that there are excellent, talented and leading female scientists in the health sector, the I3PT is organizing a new edition ofa hospital innovation workshop at the Can Planas Institute (Barberà del Vallès), where students learn first-hand what biomedical innovation is, learn about innovative solutions currently being made by women, and work in groups to present innovative proposals in the face of a medical challenge that arises before them.
What would you say to a future researcher?
Also within the framework of the 11F, the professionals at Parc Taulí explain their motivations to us in this video!
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