Women in Science, Individuals in Search of a Fulfilling Life

• Thirty-two Basque entities jointly organize a comprehensive program in the 8th edition of Emakumeak Zientzian in Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia, and Araba.

• The main objective of this edition is to emphasize that individuals in the scientific and technological field want to be, above all, individuals with a fulfilling life.

Thirty-two Basque entities join forces around the Emakumeak Zientzian project, thus reaffirming their commitment to the initiative's goals: making women's activity in science visible, breaking with the typically male roles attributed to scientific and technical activities, and promoting the choice of scientific careers among girls and adolescents. With these objectives in mind, the entities come together to organize a program of activities on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated every year on February 11.

Every year, in addition to meeting the main objectives of the initiative, the Emakumeak Zientzian project reflects deeply to advance a necessary change in the scenario of the scientific and technological landscape. Thus, this year, "we want to emphasize that individuals in the scientific and technological field are still individuals with their needs, passions, commitments, and hobbies," says the Emakumeak Zientzian organization. In the field of science, as in many others, there is a demand to change the standards of excellence and the idea that a professional vocation leaves little time for family, leisure, or personal development. All of this will be captured in a personal video. "We will launch a campaign featuring different individuals in the scientific and technological field, focusing on their lives beyond science. We don't want superheroines who do it all, nor sacrifices to achieve success. These are real lives trying to achieve balance in the various stages of a professional career," they add.

The Emakumeak Zientzian 2024 program will be concentrated in the week from February 8 to 16. An extensive program of more than 60 activities has been designed, covering for the first time all three historical territories, as the capital of Alava joins as a venue for some of the events in this new edition, so that the message 'science is indeed for girls' reaches and resonates with as many people as possible. "We want to make a special call and invite all individuals, regardless of their gender, identity, origin, profession, or age, to participate in the activities," say the Emakumeak Zientzian organizers.

To kick off, this year Emakumeak Zientzian will start in a festive atmosphere on Thursday, February 8, in Donostia, where the mentioned video will be presented, more testimonials will be shared, and all volunteers, as well as institutional representatives, will gather.

From that day on, there will be activities open to the public of all ages in Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia, and Alava. For the general public, Donostia, Bilbao, and Gasteiz will host the event "Científicas de ayer y de hoy" (Scientists of Yesterday and Today), in which several scientists working in different fields of research will take the stage to talk about their research projects and also pay tribute to some of the great scientists of history through the narrative of their fascinating lives and scientific contributions. In addition to the usual visits by students to research centers and specific workshops for teenage audiences, this year, we will repeat the "Vuelta al Cole" (Back to School) experience, in which more than 60 researchers will go to the classrooms of educational centers to share their experiences and contribute to awakening scientific vocation among students. Likewise, specific attention will be paid to specific groups, such as women over 55, to highlight the role of adult women as transmitters of culture; thus, in the activity "El poder de la experiencia" (The Power of Experience), seven research centers will open their doors to showcase the research they carry out through a series of short and easy experiments that can be done anywhere, to bring scientific culture closer to families and our environment. Roundtable discussions will also be held, some directed at the scientific and technological community, and others more open, for younger people, to delve into entrepreneurship and meet female engineers.

The complete program of activities is available from today on the website www.emakumeakzientzian.eus, and registrations for the various activities are already open.

The 32 entities participating in the 8th edition of Emakumeak Zientzian are a representative sample of the science and technology fabric in the Basque Country: Achúcarro, BCMaterials, the Center for Material Physics (CFM CSIC-UPV/EHU), CIC biomaGUNE, University of Deusto, UPV/EHU Computer Science, UPV/EHU Chemistry, Aranzadi Science Society, Basque Artificial Intelligence Center (BAIC), Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM), Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL), BioBizkaia, Biodonostia, Ceit, CIC energiGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, Cidetec, Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Elhuyar, Eureka! Science Museum-Kutxa Foundation, Foundation for Biophysics Bizkaia (FBB), Ikerlan, Engineers-Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Industriales de Gipuzkoa, Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa (MEGP), Mubil, Technological Parks of the Basque Country, POLYMAT, Tecnalia, Tecnun, UPV/EHU Engineers, and Vicomtech.

Emakumeak Zientzian 2024 has the prominent support of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Fomento San Sebastian, the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA) alliance, and Salto, as well as the collaboration of the following entities and organizations: the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), the State Research Agency through the Severo Ochoa and Maria de Maeztu centers adhered to the initiative, the Basque Film Archive and the San Sebastian International Film Festival, Donostia Kultura, Emakunde, the Lemniskata network, Ikerbasque, Aspegi (Association of Professional, Business, and Managerial Women of Gipuzkoa), Biook, Skills4Science, the Equality Directorate of UPV/EHU, and Casio.