Science by Women Hosts Its Second Congress at UNED Vitoria-Gasteiz
A space designed for professionals, organizations, and students in the STEM field who are committed to a more inclusive, collaborative, and global science.
May 7, 2025. The 2nd Science by Women Congress, organized by the Women for Africa Foundation, will take place on May 7 and 8 at the N.O.W. is Africa Classroom of UNED Vitoria-Gasteiz. This event marks over a decade of scientific progress driven by the cooperation program and provides a platform for professionals, organizations, and students in the STEM field who are committed to a more inclusive, collaborative, and global science.
From the outset, UNED has supported the Science by Women program, and its Vitoria-Gasteiz campus will host the second edition of this annual congress. Over its ten editions, more than 160 African women researchers have completed six-month research stays at Spanish research centers, working on critical areas such as health, energy, water and climate change, agriculture, and food security.
This second edition will feature a dedicated space for presentations in English showcasing the research being carried out by current beneficiaries of the Science by Women program in Spain. It will be an opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge and to foster synergies with the aim of promoting intra-African and Spanish-African cooperation.
Over two days, the congress will offer lectures, workshops, and presentations by researchers from our programs, all in English. This year’s edition includes a keynote lecture titled “Science from the One Health Approach”, a methodology that recognizes the close interconnection between human health, animal health, and environmental health. It promotes multisectoral and transdisciplinary collaboration to jointly prevent and address global health threats.
Additionally, the program includes two workshops: “Guidelines and Tips for Writing Research Papers for Scientific Journals” and “Tips for Preparing a Successful Grant Proposal”. Both workshops are designed to respond to the needs identified by the program’s own participants.
About the Science by Women / Ellas Investigan Program
The Women for Africa Foundation launched the Science by Women program in 2014 with the aim of increasing the participation of African women in science and technology. The program facilitates access to science for women, supports their research careers, highlights their achievements, and promotes their leadership in the international scientific community.
Over the course of ten editions, the program has built a network of 31 Spanish research centers that support the talent of African women scientists by offering six-month research stays in key areas such as health, energy, water and climate change, agriculture, and food security.
Innovative Approach and Adaptation to African Realities
What sets Science by Women apart is its innovative gender approach, tailored to the diverse realities of the African continent. Acknowledging the disparities in women’s access to and advancement in science, the program does not set an age limit for participants and allows for flexible research stays to help balance family and professional responsibilities.
To date, more than 160 African women researchers have benefited from this initiative, becoming part of NOW is Africa, a network committed to breaking down gender barriers and promoting a culture of innovation and research in Africa.
You can follow the congress live through this link.
*The Women for Africa Foundation has recently opened a new headquarters in the Basque Country thanks to the generous donation of a spacious classroom by the National University of Distance Education (UNED) at its Vitoria center. The N.O.W. is Africa classroom is dedicated to the theme of Women and Science.