On October 29, 2024, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) brought together over 25 participants from academia, government, and the private sector for a dynamic workshop on diversity and gender equality. This event highlighted a collaborative effort between two transformative EU-funded projects—ATHENA and EXPER—working to advance gender equality and institutional change across Europe’s research landscape.
A Platform for Inclusive Dialogue
The event, featured impactful contributions that underscored ULPGC’s leadership in fostering a more inclusive environment. Carmen Delia Díaz Bolaños, Director of the ULPGC Equality Unit, set the tone with an inspiring welcome, followed by remarks from Sebastián López, Vice-Rector of Research and Knowledge Transfer, on the EXPER project’s mission to support institutional transformation for ULPGC and the University of the Azores through international collaboration with the universities of Rostock and Calabria.
The ATHENA project’s emphasis on structural change in research institutions was spotlighted by Michelle Perello, CEO of Consulta Europa Projects & Innovation, who spoke on the synergies between ATHENA and EXPER in promoting gender equality through Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) and international cooperation. Rosalía Estupiñán Cáceres, ATHENA’s principal investigator at ULPGC, shared initial outcomes from ULPGC’s GEP, followed by ULPGC Rector Lluís Serra-Majem’s reflections on the tangible impact of these projects.
Event Highlights and Key Outputs
Key presentations addressed strategic steps toward inclusive policies, with a compelling segment by Arturo Montesdeoca Suárez, Doctor of Labour Law, on the ULPGC Protocol Against Harassment and Violence Toward LGTBI Individuals. A roundtable moderated by gender equality expert Yaiza Gómez Yánez saw prominent voices—such as María Delgado from the Young Entrepreneurs Association and Paula Falcón García from the ULPGC Student Council—discuss innovative strategies to foster equality within educational and professional settings. These exchanges aimed to refine ULPGC’s Diversity Strategy under the EXPER project and strengthen ULPGC’s GEP through ATHENA’s guidance.
A Collaborative Vision for Lasting Change
Together, ATHENA and EXPER underscore the critical role of gender equality and diversity in institutional growth, creating pathways for ULPGC and the University of the Azores to become models for change in ultraperipheral regions. This workshop reaffirmed ULPGC’s commitment to enhancing inclusivity and provided a collaborative space to inform future initiatives that will benefit not only the university but the broader community.