As the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11F) approached, CRAG joined the global celebration with a series of impactful activities. This day served as a reminder of the progress made towards gender equality in science, but also highlighted the ongoing challenges women face in the field. At CRAG, we are proud of our achievements, with women holding key leadership positions and 44% of our group leaders being women. However, we recognize that there is still much work to be done. This 11F, we honoured women scientists at CRAG, and we are committed to inspiring the next generation of women researchers.

1. Social media video

We have produced a compelling video for social media, highlighting our gender statistics. While these figures are quite positive, there is still much work to be done every day. This 11F, we wanted to recognize all the women scientists at CRAG. Visit our Instagram to watch the video.

2. School visit and talk

As part of The Secret Life of a Plant Biologist project, CRAG hosted a school visit where two of our researchers, Clara Ontañón and Mireia Uranga, delivered an inspiring talk to high school students, sharing their journeys and passion for science. This initiative aims to showcase plant biology research and break stereotypes about scientists. It includes a photographic exhibition and a visit to CRAG with an informative talk by our researchers. Each year, two schools, registered through the Escolab platform, host the exhibition.

3. Active participation in Científiques

Continuing our commitment to the Científiques initiative, organized by BIST and FCRI all over Catalonia, researchers Marta Pujol and Silvia Fornalè visited schools to discuss their careers and the challenges faced by women in science. Additionally, a former CRAG researcher and co-founder of PLANet Biotech (a spin-off company of CRAG), Andrea Giordano, conducted an engaging workshop on photosynthesis pigments for primary school students.

4. Round-table at the radio

L. Maria Lois, CRAG's director, participated in a round table discussion at Ràdio Desvern. The conversation covered crucial topics such as visibility and recognition, work-life balance, and breaking stereotypes in the scientific community. Watch the full video here.

Through these diverse activities, CRAG reaffirms its dedication to supporting and promoting the contributions of women in science, inspiring the next generation of woman in science.