Overview

• Ten women were appointed to head CERCA research centers between 2021 and 2025, doubling the total since 1984.
• Selection for these directorships followed strict merit-based curricula review and rigorous implementation plans, without gender quotas.
• Marga Nadal, director of IDIBGI, describes female leadership as a daily practice of visibility, listening and transformation.
• The Generalitat de Catalunya will launch a mentorship pilot next academic year aimed at empowering emerging female scientists and preventing harassment.
• Comprehensive gender equity strategies will be rolled out across universities and research institutions to comply with Spain’s Science Law.