On Tuesday, 11 February, UIC Barcelona’s Sant Cugat Campus hosted the symposium “International Women and Girls in Science: Celebrating Innovation and Overcoming Barriers”, held as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The event was spearheaded by researchers Roni Wright and Soledad Pérez from the Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Bioengineering, respectively.

The conference was attended by undergraduate and doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and established professionals, who shared their research and personal experiences in the scientific field. The programme included short presentations, a roundtable discussion featuring UIC Barcelona researchers, and various lectures by researchers from UIC Barcelona, the University of Barcelona, and the Isfahan University of Technology in Iran, all of whom are leading figures in their fields.

Another highlight of the day was the installation of a ‘tree of testimonies’, a space where participants could anonymously share their experiences as women in science, as well as inspirational messages to motivate future generations.

As the symposium organisers noted, “As researchers at UIC Barcelona, we are proud to say that, unlike the national statistics, our University reflects a strong parity in the presence of women researchers in leadership positions.” “This example serves as a significant motivation for UIC Barcelona students to pursue careers in science, knowing they will be supported at every stage of their professional journey,” they added.

This symposium reflects UIC Barcelona's commitment to gender equality in science, recognising the key role played by women in the scientific and technological community, which is commemorated on 11 February every year.