Our EffortsFostering female researchers in engineering to
create innovation
Nurturing the next generation of female researchers is an important mission for universities. Although the percentage of female researchers is on the rise due to various measures, it is still extremely low in the field of engineering. In order to improve these issues, Nagoya University's project was adopted for the Initiative for Realizing Diversity in the Research Environment (Specific Correspondence Type ), and we have started a variety of initiatives. One of the most important initiatives is to improve the research environment to ensure a good work-life balance and to broaden the base of female researchers.
Source: Nagoya University Profile 2018-2023 (as of May 1 of each fiscal year)
Initiatives to improve research efficiency, etc.
Digital Research Environment Improvement Project
Research themes in engineering are often based on experimental research, and life events such as childcare and childbirth may make it difficult to promote research. Female engineering researchers say that they want to continue their research from home, work-share with co-researchers, and make their research more efficient. Digital transformation (DX) is an important technology that can solve these needs.
This project involves establishing an environment that facilitates access to digital technology for female engineering researchers, promoting and developing electronic laboratory notebooks, and improving research efficiency through collaboration with data science. The establishment of this kind of digital research environment will be useful for everyone regardless of gender in the future, and will lead to a change in the way all researchers work.
Shared Assistant System
Another distinctive effort is the Shared Assistant System. The shared assistant acts as an administrator to manage the work-life balance of female faculty members of the Graduate School of Engineering, and will identify problems and make improvements through work support, networking support, and work style monitoring.
Efforts to improve research skills, etc.
Women's Doctoral Fellowship Program at the Graduate School of Engineering of Nagoya University
In addition to providing financial support for female students in the doctoral program so that they can pursue their studies with peace of mind, the program also provides opportunities for interaction with female faculty members who serve as role models.
Seminars to promote the advancement of women in engineering
In order to support female students in entering doctoral programs, we conduct seminars for female undergraduate students inside and outside the university, as well as female junior and senior high school students to promote higher education.
Community for women in engineering
At the Graduate School of Engineering, where the majority of students are men, there are not a lot of opportunities for female faculty members and female graduate students in different majors to interact with each other. We set up a refreshment space in the School of Engineering building where women can feel free to gather and use it as a place where female engineering researchers can exchange information on research, career development, work-life balance, and more.
