Eleven researchers bring science closer to the neighborhoods of Zaragoza

The University of Zaragoza's campaign 'I am a scientist. I live in your neighborhood' takes a series of advertising displays to different corners of the city where black and white photographs of 11 scientists from different disciplines who work at the institution appear.

Women represent just over 44% in the research groups of the University of Zaragoza, but project leadership represents only 26,47%. With the aim of making visible the figure of women in the field of science, and coinciding with the days leading up to February 11 - International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the University of Zaragoza has launched the 'I am scientific. I live in your neighborhood.' From this Thursday until next March 7, the Aragonese capital will display advertising displays in the different neighborhoods with black and white photographs of 11 of the researchers - linked to the University - with the greatest impact in scientific publications, according to the Stanford ranking. With this campaign, the institution aims for girls and adolescents to have real and close references.

"In all macro areas, women's participation exceeds 40%, with the exception of Engineering and Architecture, where it still does not reach 30%," explains the vice-rector for Scientific Policy, Rosa Bolea. Regarding women's leadership in research, the data show an upward trend. In 2004, only 17,7% of the projects were led by women, while in 2021 the figure rises to 26,47%. The University considers that it is a percentage "very far from the glass ceiling" and although it improves over the years, it is "very slow progress." The highest percentage is recorded in Art and Humanity and Social and Legal Sciences, with more than 30%. In Sciences and Health Sciences the figure drops to 23%. The worst figure is recorded in Engineering and Architecture, with 13,9%

"This campaign builds leadership and therefore references. It is essential to admire to have a scientific vocation. These exhibitors are a message to society and especially to girls so that they dare to be scientists and see themselves as future researchers," The Minister of Science and University, Maru, stressed in the presentation of the advertising exhibitors. Diaz. The rector of the University, José Antonio, also participated. Mayoral, which has influenced "There is a lot of work to do as women's leadership is growing but slowly"

The protagonists of the campaign

Belén Zalba -Thermal Engineer-, Blanca Hernández -Marketing-, Cristina Nerín -Analytical Chemistry-, Estefanía Peña -Mechanical Engineer-, M. Mar Campo -veterinary-, María Antonia Navascués -Mathematics-, Nuria Garatachea - Sports Sciences-, Pilar García -Fluid Mechanics- and Uxue Alzueta -Chemical Engineering- are the protagonists of the campaign who are part of the staff of the University of Zaragoza. So are two other researchers linked to the institution: Mechanical Engineer Carla de Cunha - from the ARAID Foundation of the Government of Aragon - and Chemist Conchita Gimeno - from the CSIC.

The campaign has the collaboration of Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza, the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) of the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Government of Aragon.