BioQ

On March 8, 2019, coinciding with the commemoration of International Women's Day, a World Café (WOKA) was organized in the Institute's social area and open to all Institute professionals.

WOKA was organized in two phases, one for presentation and the other for debate. With an approximate participation of 50 people, it began with a presentation of the objective data and then three researchers presented their vision of equality in their professional experience. In the subsequent debate with this Word Café format, the situation of the Institute and actions that could be carried out to promote equal opportunities in Biobizkaia were analyzed.

Subsequent to WOKA, an open call was made to the Institute's professionals to form an improvement group to identify, propose and implement actions to promote equality and unite it with science and research.

This is where the BioQ project was born, at the beginning of the year 2020, with the composition of two Working groups: Events Group and Dissemination and Training Group (non-scientific).

The first action is carried out for the celebration of February 11, the International Day of Women in Science. At the beginning of February, 17 posters with the scientific trajectory of 17 leading women in science throughout history will be placed throughout the Institute. On the same day, there will be a physical tour following the route and it will end with a joint meeting to exchange views between the participants.

Biobizkaia's commitment to Gender Equality

Biobizkaia has HR recognition, where the equality criterion was valued very positively. In addition, the 2018-2022 Strategic Plan includes both the HRS4R strategy and the RRI (the acronym for Responsible Research and Innovation). Both strategies and gender equality itself are included within the criteria required for accreditation of Health Research Institutes.

Bearing this in mind, Biobizkaia decided to start a project related to equal opportunities, with the aim of:

• Analyze in detail the situation of the IIS in relation to equality
• Set up a corporate improvement group that would participate in the analysis of the situation and develop actions that would make us advance in equal opportunities.
• All this is framed in a public commitment of the IIS in relation to equality.

To create the BioQ project, the following methodology has been proposed:

• Carry out an initial analysis of the situation of the IIS in relation to gender equality, as well as a review of evidence and data on the situation in science and research.
• Propose a participatory activity to survey the IIS professionals about their consideration of gender equality in the Institute, as well as possible alternatives for action.
• Form an improvement group to propose actions to advance equality.
• Publicly disseminate Biobizkaia's commitment to equality, incorporate this action into the HR Plan and carry out dissemination and communication actions towards the outside world and the public.