Annual Conference

 

 

Assembly: The conference aimed at encouraging women scientists to actively communicate and promote their research results using their specific communication abilities and making full use of their potential in this respect, thereby joining the – so far male dominated – ranks of those active in the field. More than 80 scientists, representatives of European organizations of women researchers from all disciplines and policy makers from all over Europe took part in the event. First hand information on EU equal opportunities policies was conveyed by Luisa Prista, Head of Unit Scientific Culture and Gender Issues, and Virginija Langbakk, new Director of the European Institute for Gender Equality. In her keynote lecture “Knowing and Living in Research: Gender Dimensions of Science -in-the-making“, Prof. Dr. Ulrike Felt, Head Department of Social Studies of Science, University of Vienna, inspired a lively discussion on the gender impact of the less visible forces at work in everyday research such as prevailing concepts of career, mobility, competition and excellence. A poster exhibition highlighted EU funded (research) projects headed, managed or coordinated by women, action plans to promote equal opportunities and gender balance and the work of EPWS member networks and other networks to promote women scientists at national, regional and European level. A special visit to the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) in Brussels, upon invitation by the Museum’s Directorate, provided the participants with a concrete example of science communication.