Women and Research in Physics in Italy

Between gender stereotypes and professions of the future

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The National Institute of Nuclear Physics and the National Research Council – Research Institute on Population and Social Policies (IRPPS) in Italy are partners of the European network "GENERA – Gender Equality Network in the European Research Area, and in collaboration with the H2020 project "MINDtheGEPs - Modifying Institutions by Developing Gender Equality Plans" (G.A. 101006543) by to which the CNR-IRPPS is the beneficiary, announce a competition for the production of a video, in ‘Social’ format on the topic: "Women and Research in Physics: between gender stereotypes and professions of the future.

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Women in Science 2023

This year’s competition brings together two themes with significant impacts on the world of work and the social challenges of our time.

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, signed in 2015 by 193 States, stresses the importance of work as a driver and accelerator for sustainable development on the long term, bringing social, cultural and economic benefits. The next five years will be decisive for defining 60% of the professions of the future according to the needs of innovation and ecological conversion of society and the productive world. The rapid technological evolution and The climate emergency requires figures with scientific and technological skills, IT, digital and interdisciplinary indispensable that will be the basis of the development of an eco-sustainable economy.

Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Figures specialised in Big Data analysis, artificial intelligence, in computer security, in quantum technologies, in analysis market as well as in the so-called "green and blue jobs" (development of technologies and materials eco-sustainable, development of technologies for the energy transition and new materials, economy circular) are some examples of emerging professions. Physics plays a central role in training many of these professionals of the future. At the same time, a problem of gender imbalance persists in many of the training pathways advanced and career in these technological and research fields. Gender equality and gender mainstreaming in research have been identified by the European Commission as two of the research priorities in Europe. The objective of gender equality constitutes Not just an obvious hope but a concrete regulatory reference, even at national level. Italy recognises that the low presence of women in the study and in the working environments in which they are required, the so-called STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and in Physics is a significant obstacle to the economic growth of Italy.

The sub-women's representation in courses on STEM disciplines occurs despite the fact that girls generally achieve very good results in science subjects in higher institutions of education. The call in question aims to raise awareness among students of the upper secondary level, on gender issues and emerging professions related to the field of physics.

The Competition

Candidates will be able to present the project in the form of an unpublished video of the duration maximum of 5 minutes, the deadline for which is 17 March 2023. The winning videos will be presented in Rome in May 2023, on the occasion of a day dedicated to physics and the role of women in this discipline. The initiative has the patronage of the Italian Physical Society, the Association for the Teaching of Physics, Springer Nature and Elsevier.

The evaluation of the materials presented will be carried out by a special Commission, composed of expert staff of the two organising bodies and with the possible participation of external experts. Up to a maximum of three winning works will be selected which will also be used to promote the Project in scientific and institutional forums and which will be given maximum dissemination. The winners will receive a scientific kit and a plaque with the name of the school that won the award.

Last year’s competition winners

Winners

Winners' High School NamesCity

1st winner

Liceo Scientifico Statale "Fermi-Monticelli

Brindisi

2nd winner

Istituto Statale di Istruzione Superiore "Luigi Einaudi"

Dalmine

3rd winner

Liceo Scientifico Leonardo da Vinci

Trento

Special mention

Liceo Statale "Leon Battista Alberti"

Napoli

Special mention

Liceo Scientifico "A. Roiti"

Ferrara

Special mention

Istituto Tecnico Industriale Statale "G. Cardano"

Pavia

Special mention

Liceo Statale “Ippolito Nievo” – Padova

Padova

Special mention

Liceo Scientifico “Simone Morea”

Conversano

women in science italy 2023 competition
women in science italy 2023 competition
women in science italy 2023 competition
women in science italy 2023 competition

Privacy

Pursuant to EU Regulation 2016/679 - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the data provided by the person participating in the competition in question are processed by the INFN in accordance with the provisions contained in the Code regarding the protection of personal data.