In 1913, in line with its founding principles of having "Open Doors," Tohoku University became the first national university in Japan to admit female students. Since then, the university has continued to embrace inclusion and celebrate diversity, taking on initiatives that promote gender equality and provide support for female researchers.

Among its many activities is an annual symposium dedicated to improving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on campus, as well as in the community and further afield.

This year's symposium will be held on November 20 and will have the theme of "Accelerating the Empowerment of Women in STEM: Challenges and Prospects from a Japan-Korea Comparison." It features a keynote speech by Dr Heisook Lee, the president of the Korea Centre for Gendered Innovations for Science and Technology Research (GISTeR).

Advancing gender equity in STEM requires tackling both structural imbalances and epistemic bias. To address these challenges, Korea has enacted a series of legal and policy frameworks, including the Framework Act on Gender Equality in 2014 and the Act on Fostering and Supporting Women Scientists and Engineers in 2002.

This symposium will discuss the achievements and limitations of these and other Korean initiatives and reflect on their potential relevance for advancing gender equity in STEM in Japan and beyond.

Date: November 20, 2025
Time: 1:30 - 4 p.m.
Language: Japanese and English (simultaneous translation will be provided)
Format: Hybrid (on-site and online)
On-site venue: Suisei Hall, 2/F Aobayama Commons Tohoku University (Map)

※ Please note that there is no parking around the venue, so please use public transport. The nearest subway station is Aobayama on the Tozai line.

To attend, please register by November 14, 2025:

• On-site: Google Form
• Online: Zoom webinar Form

About the Keynote Speaker:

Heisook Lee is president of GISTeR, the Korea Centre for Gendered Innovations for Science and Technology Research, and a professor emeritus in mathematics at Ewha Womans University. She was the founding president of the Centre of WISET, where she pioneered the Returnee Programme for career-interrupted women and a mentoring initiative for female STEM students, both of which have evolved into national HRD programmes. Her current research focuses on AI for inclusive growth, and policy development for disseminating gendered innovations. Lee was previously a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology and the National Science and Technology Commission; as well as editor-in-chief of the Journal of the Korean Mathematical Society.

To see the full list of speakers, here is the symposium's itinerary: (pdf)