News

The Center for Gender Equality Promotion at Tohoku University (TUMUG) hosted an online lunch on April 21 as part of a support network for female researchers.

About 35 participants - most working from home and some appearing with their children - took part in the event.

They shared their current concerns, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their research activities and the challenges of balancing work and childcare in this unprecedented environment.

It was also an opportunity to meet and interact with the university's first female executive vice presidents - Motoko Kotani (Research) and Miwako Doi (Data Strategy and Social Co-creation) - who took office on April 1.

Kotani is a renowned mathematician who had previously served as director of the Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR) and as executive director of RIKEN. She is currently a member of the Japanese government's Council for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Doi was the former chief technology officer at Toshiba Corporation's Research and Development Center. She is now serving concurrently as an auditor of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, and as executive director of the Nara Institute of Science and Technology.

"The participation of women in the decision-making levels of an organization adds important voices of diversity and balance," said Noriko Osumi, director of TUMUG in a recent message.

"I believe that these two extraordinary women will not only bring with them their research expertise and international mindset, but also add unique perspectives to the leadership group."

TUMUG's official website offers information about support services and programmes for students, faculty and staff. Although most activities are currently suspended due to the pandemic, anyone - regardless of gender - is welcome to stop by the site to learn more.