Gender bias in STEM areas is a palpable reality that we cannot ignore. To face this challenge, the involvement of institutions and scientific societies is vital. The Spanish Optical Society (SEDOPTICA) is committed to being inclusive, striving to provide an environment where all people feel valued and respected, and also have access to the same opportunities. The Women in Optics and Photonics Area started working in 2018 with the following activities:

MENTORING PROGRAMME

This programme aims to connect women researchers to offer a professional support network:

Connected women scientists
Connected Women Scientists is a series of periodic meetings where we invite women scientists to give technical talks grouped by topic. From May 2020, the format was moved to webinar format, reaching a total attendance of 330 users (visit: SEDOPTICA-Youtube channel).

Count on them
Count on them initiative compiles short reviews of women researchers in optics and photonics to promote and facilitate the organisation of gender equal, peer-to-peer events. The objective is to create an open database for anyone who wants to use it when looking for speakers for their events. This initiative also enhances the visibility of their scientific work to other people, such as journalists or people required for counselling on these areas of expertise.

MEET THE WOMEN RESEARCHERS

The 'Meet the Women Researchers' programme was launched in January 2019, with the aim of disseminating the work and experiences in their careers at all levels, from predoctoral to emeritus professors. The women participating in this activity belong to both academia and industry. So far we have 34 interviews with different researchers/teachers/technologists/disseminators of Optics and Photonics.  Written and video interviews have received about 6700 and 500 views, respectively.

DISSEMINATION PROGRAMME AND SOCIAL MEDIA 

Quantitative analysis of the situation of women in optics and photonics in Spain
We are currently collecting quantitative data about the situation of women researchers in the field of Optics and Photonics in Spain. We are performing a statistical study of the doctoral theses defended in Spain in the last five years. To do so, we are using the Ministry of Education's TESEO database, and classifying them according to UNESCO codes. The theses were classified separating whether these descriptors had been chosen by men or women. This study will be presented in the IEEE EDUCON2022 (March, Tunisia), and published as proceeding.

We continue working in these kinds of studies to offer more detailed analysis.