Equality Distinction awarded by the CSIC to the IN

The Institute for Neurosciences was recognised by the CSIC as one of the research centres awarded the 4th Equality Distinction (runner-up) in 2022. This distinction acknowledges the Institute’s commitment to integrating the gender perspective as a cross-cutting dimension in all aspects of its functioning, as well as to promoting measures aimed at removing the barriers faced by women in their professional careers. Examples of the Institute’s inclusive environment include the majority presence of women in the leadership of Research Units, as well as a research and full professorship staff—representing the highest academic ranks within the CSIC and the UMH—comprising 60% women, a proportion well above the national average, which ranges between 20% and 30%

Composition

The IN Committee to Equality is currently composed of the following members:

• Sandra Jurado – Tenured Scientist – CSIC and member of the IN CSIC-UMH Sustainability Committee
• Silvia De Santis – Tenured Scientist – CSIC
• Ramón Reig – Tenured Scientist – CSIC
• Emilio Geijo – Full Professor – UMH
• Verónica Murcia – Technician – CSIC
• María Teresa García Hedo – Manager of the IN CSIC-UMH

The Committee brings together representatives from different groups within the IN and also includes a representative in the Sustainability Committee. This link reflects a strategic commitment to coordinated work across both areas, recognizing that sustainability and equality are inseparable pillars of the organizational culture.

For enquiries or initiatives related to Equality, please contact: in.igualdad@umh.es

Equality Activities

The main objective of the IN Committee to Equality is to promote equality within the academic and research environment. To this end, the Committee is working on the development of its own Equality Plan, which combines the general guidelines set out in the CSIC III Gender Equality Plan and the UMH II Equality Plan. The aim is to produce a document that serves as an effective tool for implementing policies and actions to ensure equality within our institution, in line with its specific characteristics as a joint research centre.

Among the actions promoted and organised by the Committee are:

• Organisation of activities to increase the visibility of women researchers at the IN (e.g., International Day of Women and Girls in Science), available to the general public through our YouTube channel.
• Analysis and monitoring of potential gender imbalances within our working environment.
• Collaboration with initiatives and associations that promote the role of women in science (e.g. ALBA Network) and with the “Ellas Investigan” programme of the Women for Africa Foundation