Germany intends to use its 2007 EU Council Presidency among other things to kick off initiatives to enhance innovative ability and to thereby contribute to Europe's global competitiveness. The Federal Government regards the inclusion of gender aspects in research and the boosting of equal opportunities in the scientific system as important preconditions for increasing innovative ability.
The conference on "Gender issues in research - Innovation through equality of opportunity", which is being organized by the Center of Excellence Women and Science (CEWS), is intended to explore the new structures, measures and activities which are being developed in Germany to ensure equal opportunities for women scientists.
In the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All, the conference will offer European experts a forum for discussing the fundamental importance of equal opportunity structures in science and research as well as current proposals for the further development of research contents from the gender aspect.
The conference will be introduced by speeches by the Federal Minister of Education and Research Dr. Schavan and the representative of the EU Commission Dr. Stancic. These will be followed by a panel discussion on innovative equal opportunity structures in the science system between a Member of the European Parliament and representatives of German science organizations responsible for this area.
The second day of the conference will focus on "Gendered Innovations in Science" and will begin with a speech by Prof. Dr. Londa Schiebinger. This will be followed by a panel discussion based on examples in the fields of engineering, medicine/ pharmacology, computer science and car design. Representatives of the various disciplines will illustrate the significance of gender aspects for the research process. Registration and participation are by invitation only.
