Diversity should be the engine of innovation. When different perspectives come together, complex problems are solved more creatively, and the resulting solutions are more impactful.
Recent research shows that scientific contributions by women and other underrepresented groups remain systematically underutilized. This gap is not due to differences in quality or competence, but to biases and misconceptions that shape how innovation unfolds. Female and other underrepresented groups of scientists are cited less in patents, are less frequently involved in commercialization, and remain underrepresented in entrepreneurship and spin-off ventures. This under recognition not only limits individual careers but also narrows the direction of innovation itself.
This event responds to that challenge. Our goal is to raise awareness, identify barriers, and discuss opportunities for building a more inclusive innovation ecosystem—motivating women and other underrepresented groups to view knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, and innovation not only as valuable extensions of their scientific work but also as powerful career paths in its own right.
Through a keynote talk, a panel discussion, interactive workshops, and networking, we will highlight opportunities, showcase role models, and address the facilitators and challenges needed to make innovation truly inclusive.