I strive to promote equal opportunities and inclusion through my every day actions both in personal and professional settings. I firmly believe that only in a diverse environment can society and science truly progress in a fast and holistic way. As individuals, we must all work to create a friendly and welcoming environment around us – one in which everyone, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic, cultural or social origin, religion, ideology, age, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or specific personal circumstances, receives the same respect and enjoys the same opportunities. This is especially important for underrepresented groups in each context, who often face various forms of discrimination.
In particular, non-male researchers are underrepresented in astronomy and I am deeply committed to improving gender balance in academia through a variety of actions. I actively challenge gender discrimination and bias, and I contribute to building a scientific culture where every voice is heard.
Most relevant actions:
- I served as one Equal Opportunity Officer at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (Heidelberg) for two years (2021-2022). My responsibilities included monitoring of hiring processes to detect potential biases, participation in selection committees, drawing up the new MPIA gender equality plan for 2022 and 2023, and the 2021 hiring guidelines, giving support to MPIA employees in terms of equality, inclusion and diversity and organizing institute-wide events related to these topics. This role was recognized with an MPIA performance bonus in 2021 and 2022.
- I coordinate the informal support group and network EOT: Every Other Thursday at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias –a safe and inclusive space to share experiences and reflections on how gender affects our daily lives in the workplace, with the philosophy is that “together we are more powerful”. I have been a member of this group since its foundation in 2018-2019.
- I recently proposed a mentoring program for non-male BSc and MSc students at the University of la Laguna. The program aims to offer support through a network of female professors and researchers, with specific goals such as boosting student self-esteem, encouraging them to pursue their career goals whatever they are, supporting their decision making from the academic and personal points of view.
- I have participated in numerous outreach activities, with the purpose of increasing the visibility of women in science and breaking gender stereotypes. Most activities are related to “February 11, UNESCO International Day of Women and Girls in Science”. Here the most relevant: ·Jan 2024: “Interview with a woman astrophysicist” (IES Doramas, Gran Canaria, online); ·2019-2023, 2025: Talk to them: women in astronomy (two to four talks per year, virtual), ·2019-2023: Chatea con una astrónoma (virtual), ·15/03/2019: “II encuentro de mujeres de mil batallas” (IES Güimar, Spain), ·11/02/2018: “Hacia la diversificación profesional” (Project under Area 2030 of Innovation, Cabildo de Tenerife, La Laguna, Spain).