The event, held at the Royal Botanical Garden-CSIC under the theme “Science for better public policies: the contribution of women scientists,” recognized Del Pino's career for her promotion of equality policies at CSIC, her work in highlighting female leadership, and for being a role model for new generations of scientists and technologists.
In her acceptance speech, Eloísa del Pino also paid tribute to Carmen Mayoral, a CSIC researcher and executive vice-president of AMIT who recently passed away, and to the women who initiated the Women and Science commission at CSIC in 2001-2002. She announced that an event will be held in the coming months to commemorate the 25th anniversary of women's inclusion at CSIC.
Prior to the awards, Del Pino participated in a panel discussion on science impact and governance with Carmen Vela, former Secretary of State for Science, and Jorge Barrero, director of COTEC. During the discussion, the CSIC president advocated for the institutionalization of scientific advice in public policies, citing the CSIC's Scientific Advisory Unit for Emergencies as an example.
The Association of Women Researchers and Technologists (AMIT), founded in 2001, aims to promote the full and equal participation of women in the Spanish science, technology, and innovation system and to highlight persistent inequalities.
The event takes place in a context where incorporating scientific evidence into public policies is a democratic imperative. Initiatives such as Science4Policy-CSIC, FECYT's work on science for public policy, the Congress of Deputies' Office C, and the National Office for Scientific Advice are strengthening this direction in Spain.
During the opening, María-Paz Martín, director of the RJB-CSIC, emphasized the significant contribution of women to public policies. Teresa Riesgo, Secretary General for Innovation of the MICIU, presented data on the ongoing inequality in the scientific field. María Teresa Paramio, president of AMIT, stated that, coinciding with the association's 25th anniversary, it is time to evaluate effective policies and demand concrete results.
