Webinar: Women in scientific organizations: global evidence from science academies and unions

The 13th SCGES webinar is organized jointly with ISC and IAP.

Slides with statistics about the event. Slides of the webinar here. Video of the webinarhere.

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, ISC, IAP and SCGES invite the global science community to the presentation of the findings of their landmark project examining gender equality across academies, unions, and disciplinary societies worldwide. The study provides the clearest picture to date of how women participate, lead, and are recognized within scientific organizations — and where barriers remain.

The report brings together institutional data from 136 organizations with reflections from nearly 650 scientists and targeted interviews, offering an unprecedented view of both the structures and lived experiences that shape access, leadership, and inclusion in scientific organizations.

This webinar will present the main findings, highlight examples of effective practices, and open a discussion on the structural changes needed to make scientific institutions more equitable and representative. It is an opportunity for scientific leaders, policy-makers, and researchers to engage with new evidence and explore actionable ways to strengthen gender equality across the global scientific landscape.

Objectives of the webinar

1. Present key findings of the ISC–IAP–SCGES report on gender equality in scientific organizations.
2. Highlight institutional practices – policies, governance arrangements and initiatives – that are associated with more inclusive and gender-responsive organizations.
3. Share qualitative perspectives from scientists and organizational leaders on barriers, enablers, and promising approaches to foster gender equality in scientific organizations.
4. Discuss concrete follow-up by academies, unions, and partner institutions, including the use of monitoring frameworks and internal reviews of membership, leadership and participation.

Programme

Opening (5 minutes) Mark C. Cesa (IUPAC)

• Welcome and framing remarks
• Brief introduction to the project partnership and 2015–2025 timeline

Session 1 – Key findings from the report (15 minutes) by Léa Nacache (ISC and Marie-Françoise Roy (SCGES)

• Presentation of the main quantitative trends
• Short segment on qualitative insights from the reflective survey

Session 2 – Institutional responses and practices (35 minutes) 
Panel moderated by Peter McGrath (IAP) with

• Representative of a national academy Rebeca Santanamaria, Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences
• Representatives of international scientific unions Renuka Badhe (SCAR) and Lilia Meza Montes (IUPAP)

Indicative questions:

• How do the findings resonate with your organization’s experience?
• Which policies or practices have been most effective in your context?
• What challenges persist, particularly in leadership and decision-making structures?
• How do you monitor progress and adjust your strategies?

Session 3 – Overview of recommendations (10 minutes) – Catherine Jami, International Science Council, Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science 

Session 3 – Overview of recommendations (10 minutes) – Catherine Jami, (ISC and SCGES)

Session 4 – Discussion and Q&A (35 minutes) led by Nicky Hayes (IUPsyS)

• Moderated questions from participants (chat)

Closing (5 minutes)  ISC, SCGES, IAP.

• Summary of key messages
• Invitation to engage with follow-up activities (downloads, internal discussions, possible community of practice, etc.)