27 marzo 2017
Campus San Sebastián
University of Deusto organized First Conference on the Social Impact of Research on March 20th and 27th in the campuses of Bilbao and San Sebastian.
In alignment with the European debate on how to combine scientific excellence with open science and social impact, the event aimed at discussing how Deusto´s research activities contribute to social transformation and lead to fairer and more diverse societies, where inclusive social development and welfare are enhanced.
The event took stock of the social impact of Deusto’s research, demonstrating with concrete examples the impact of University research on important issues, such as: ageing and wellbeing; social inclusion; waste management and advanced manufacturing; gender, media and their impact on education.
Regarding the activities developed by the Gender Interdisciplinary platform, two initiatives were highlighted: INSPIRA project and the Briefing on Gender Stereotypes and Media.
The INSPIRA project lead by DT Learning captured most of the attention from the media as showed the experience of Maria eta José students within the project. INSPIRA aims to raise awareness of young people, boys and girls, about the reality of women in the scientific-technological field, especially support girls who have an interest or concern about these areas, and thereby increase the scientific and technological vocations among young people between 10 and 14 years. For the development of INSPIRA, the University of Deusto, INNOBASQUE and Elhuyar Fundazioa have formed a strong multidisciplinary team of professionals to integrate expertise and resources, and create a network of stakeholders involved in promoting female professionals in STEM areas.
The methodological and innovative strategy proposed by the project is to organize awareness sessions around “Gender, Science and Technology” for groups of boys and girls in primary and secondary education. On the other hand, a group of female professionals will carry out mentoring dynamics with small groups of girls with interest in Research, Science and Technology.
The briefing developed by the Communication research team and lead by Pilar Rodriguez an Maria Jesús Pando highlights the importance of media in the formation and transmission of gender identities. Examples are given from the press, from TV, from advertising and from the Internet to illustrate clearly and directly the presence of sexist stereotypes and their influence on the construction of our images of women and men. The briefing seeks to encourage critical thinking in analysing the power of media discourses in the construction of easily consumable symbolic universes in which the feminine and the masculine occupy very different hierarchical levels.
