At ICIQ, we proudly celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in research. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the essential contributions women make to science and the importance of creating opportunities for future generations.

Empowering Women in STEM: A Commitment to Equality

Our active participation in various initiatives highlights the vital role of women in science, inspiring young minds to pursue careers in STEM. These efforts are deeply aligned with our Equality Plan 2024–2027, designed to cultivate an inclusive environment where all talents can thrive. As holders of the Human Resources for Excellence in Research (HR4E) Accreditation, we champion best practices that promote equal opportunities, contributing to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality.

#científiques

This year, the initiative formerly known as #100tífiques has evolved into #científiques, reflecting its growth beyond the original 100 participants. The programme #científiques is an initiative organized by the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) and the Fundació Catalana per la Recerca i la Innovació (FCRI), and consists of talks given by 600 women scientists to nearly 38,000 students across Catalonia. This initiative aims to highlight the strategic role of women in science and technology, ensure equal access to scientific careers and provide relatable role models for children.

In this edition, six científiques from ICIQ delivered inspiring talks to over 300 students aged 9 to 13. Our participating researchers included Dr. Gisela Colet, Dr. Beatriu Domingo Tafalla, Dr. Imma Escofet, Dr. Marta Llorens Fons, Dr. Eugenia Martinez Ferrero, and Eva Prat.

The 7th edition of #científiques kicked off with the #científiques Meeting, which was attended by the Minister for Education and Vocational Training of Catalan Government, Esther Niubó, and the Minister for Research and Universities of Catalan Government, Prof. Núria Montserrat. The participants in the meeting highlighted that stereotypes and preconceived ideas about people working in STEM fields are one of the main reasons for the low presence of women in engineering and architecture, as stated in a recent United Nations report.

Scientist in action…Experiment!

Dr. Beatriu Domingo, from Prof. Palomares’ group, is one of six scientists participating in the fourth edition of Scientists in Action… Experiment! under the FECYT Repte Experimenta project, with ICIQ as a partner.

This gamified educational initiative engages young minds with hands-on science activities, emphasizing the role of women in scientific discovery. Dr. Domingo’s experiment explores how particle size influences material properties, allowing high school students to investigate nanoparticles and observe firsthand how size affects material behaviour.

Global Women Breakfast 2025 – Tarragona

Dr. Elisabet Romero, ICIQ Group Leader, will participate in a debate on the “Increasing Leadership of Women in Chemical Research” on 14th February at 12.00 h. at the Sala de Graus, ETSEQ, URV.

The event will also feature leading women in science, including Dr. Amaia Bastero, EMEA TS&D Associate Director for Packaging & Specialty Plastics at Dow; Prof. Marta Sales, Research Leader at Seeslab and Professor of the Department of Chemical Engineering at URV; and Dr. Adrianna Nogalska, Head of the Hydrogen Technologies Line at the Chemical Technology Unit at EURECAT.

#ICIQWomeninScience Social Media Campaign

As part of our ongoing commitment, ICIQ launched a year-long campaign #ICIQWomeninScience highlighting the impactful work of female scientists. This initiative shines a spotlight on their groundbreaking research and showcases the passion and perseverance driving their contributions to the global scientific community. The campaign is released on the 11th of each month as a reminder that we aim to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in STEM every day.

At ICIQ, we believe that science flourishes through diverse voices and perspectives. Thank you to all the women scientists whose passion and dedication continue to shape a brighter, more equitable future for all.