The majority of CRG scientists are females, a common feature among the life sciences research institutes. As these women are key players in the research performed in our institute, our Gender Balance Committee does not want to miss the opportunity posed by the International Women’s Day to make a public recognition to all women devoted to science.

We invite all women and men to consider with what challenges we are faced, and how we should start working to achieve gender equality. With this in mind a first step has been taken in our institute and our Gender Balance Committee has already started working on several actions. “Our Gender Balance Committee is still very young but we have many actions, ideas and, above all, we are really motivated and devoted to support the cause”, explains Isabelle Vernos, group leader and chair of the Gender Balance Committee at the CRG. The committee meet periodically to discuss, follow up, and boost the main suggestions and actions received from the CRG community. They successfully launched the first edition of the Mentoring Program with 14 principal investigators and 16 postdocs participating. They have just carried out a Work Life Balance survey with a turnout of 65%. The results will be crucial in order to fully understand the needs of the CRG staff and to actively work on improving the CRG work-life balance. Also, they are identifying the most relevant indicators that will help us to better measure and analyze the areas and aspects we should be looking to improve.

With regards to gender equality and work-life balance, the CRG has just started and as always there is still a long way to go, however the first step is always the hardest. In the meantime, if you are interested here you will find some information and actions you can join:

• United Nations International Women’s Day: Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity: Picture it!
• Academia Europaea - International Women’s Day Activities (in Barcelona)

Finally, CRG group leaders Isabelle Vernos and Mara Dierssen participated at a Debate series on Women in Science organized by the ICREA and the CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona). In case you could not attend, please, feel free to view the videos of the debates at the following links:

• Women and Science - The view from institutions of quality research (VO Ca / Es). Speakers: Isabelle Vernos, Nuria Sebastian, Inés Sanchez de Madariaga. Chair: Josep Corbella.
• Women and Science - In first person: the voice of women researchers (VO Ca / Es). Speakers: Louise McNally, Pepa Toribio, Verònica Benet and Mara Dierssen. Chair: Josep Maria Antó.

Let’s enjoy the International Women’s Day 2015!

CRG Gender Balance Committee Members:

Chair:
Isabelle Vernos

PhDs:
Marta Fructuoso
Mireia Ortega (back up)

Postdocs:
Benedetta Bolognesi

Technicians:
Maria Nieves Lorenzo

Staff Scientists:
Eulàlia Martí

Principal Investigators:
Juan Valcárcel
Mara Dierssen

Management:
Juan Laorden
Ines Fonseca