To mark International Women’s Day, the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Breaking Barriers in Science: Women’s Voices at ICIQ.” The event brought together researchers and staff from across the institute to reflect on the challenges and opportunities women encounter in scientific careers.
The roundtable was conducted by Prof. Mónica H. Pérez-Temprano, Group Leader at ICIQ, and featured a diverse panel representing different stages and roles within the research ecosystem: Prof. Bahareh Kherzi, ICREA Professor and Associated Researcher at ICIQ, Dr. Stephanie G.E. Amos, postdoctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Arjan W. Kleij, Meritxell Díaz, technician at the Chromatography, Thermal Analysis & Electrochemistry Unit in the Scientific Core Facilities and Belén Francisca Gómez Arteaga, PhD student under the IVORI Programme in the group of Prof. Rubén Martín.
The discussion addressed structural barriers that continue to affect women’s careers in science, particularly in leadership positions. As highlighted by Prof. Kherzi, women still occupy a smaller proportion of senior roles, partly due to challenges related to work–life balance and career progression. She also stressed the importance of retaining talented researchers and ensuring that institutions create environments where they can develop their careers successfully.
Dr. Stephanie G.E. Amos emphasised the importance of fair and transparent selection criteria in shaping career progression. She noted that, beyond improving hiring processes, broader cultural change is also required.
Participants also reflected on how scientific success is defined and evaluated. Meritxell Díaz pointed out that traditional metrics often overlook the realities of modern careers: “Success should not be measured solely by the amount of time you dedicate to work,” she said. She also highlighted the importance of incorporating gender perspectives into institutional policies, increasing women’s representation in decision-making positions, and establishing dedicated roles within organisations to address equality and gender-related issues.
The conversation also touched on the concept of intersectionality. Belén Francisca Gómez Arteaga underlined that the research system has historically been designed around male career patterns and that achieving balance requires acknowledging diverse experiences and identities. “This is not only about gender,” she explained, “but also about intersectionality and adapting the system to new realities.”
During the discussion, Mónica H. Pérez-Temprano reflected on the gender gap in applications for leadership positions, noting that women still tend to apply less frequently. Sharing her own experience, she highlighted how encouragement and mentorship can play a key role: someone once encouraged her to apply to ICIQ, she said, and that opportunity allowed her to become part of the change she now advocates for. She also stressed the need for greater transparency in evaluation systems and broader criteria that go beyond purely scientific indicators.
The debate also highlighted the importance of recognising the wide range of roles that make research possible and of promoting more collaborative and empathetic working environments. Participants emphasised the need to value diversity within organisations and to develop policies that support talent retention, particularly by reducing the uncertainty associated with short-term contracts. They also highlighted the importance of strengthening training in management and leadership to foster more inclusive and transparent institutional models capable of reshaping the “rules of the game.”
The roundtable, which lasted around one hour, was attended by more than 80 people at the ICIQ Auditorium. The session concluded with an open discussion with the audience and with a question from a male attendee: “What can we do?”a reminder that progress depends on collective commitment. In this spirit, ICIQ reaffirmed its commitment to promoting community engagement and shared responsibility in advancing a more equitable and inclusive research environment.
The event was organised by the ICIQ Equality Commission as part of the institute’s programme to commemorate International Women’s Day on 8 March. Additional activities included a quiz and several awareness initiatives open to the entire institute, aimed at encouraging reflection on gender equality and fostering a more inclusive research environment.
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