Keynotes & Panels
Featuring leading speakers from top international institutions, the event addressed key issues, share strategies for gender equality, and highlight women’s contributions in science.
Event photos by Lukas Kodis, courtesy of MRU.
Women Rectors’ Perspectives on the Status of Women in Academia
The panel Rectors’ Perspectives on the Status of Women in Academia brought together European university leaders to discuss gender equality, leadership opportunities, and persistent structural barriers in higher education. Contributions were delivered by Prof. Dr. Sondan D. Feyiz, former Rector of Kadir Has University and Vice President of the European Women Rectors’ Association; Prof. Dr. Artūras Razbadauskas, Rector of Klaipėda University; and Prof. Dr. Diana Rėklaitienė, Rector of the Lithuanian Sports University. The session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė, Rector of Mykolas Romeris University and President of the Lithuanian University Rectors’ Conference.
Gender Equality, Research and Innovation
Women’s Role in Scientifi c Societies
Dr. Habil. Gražina Tautvaišienė, President of the Lithuanian Physical Society and Vice President of the International Astronomical Union, reflected on the role of women in scientific communities. Drawing on her experience in national and international institutions, she addressed representation, participation, and the influence of scientific societies in advancing inclusive research cultures.
Equality as a Driver of Research Excellence
Gintauta Žemaitienė, Program Coordinator at the Research Council of Lithuania, examined how equality policies contribute to stronger research systems. Focusing on the Lithuanian experience, she discussed institutional measures, evaluation practices, and the relationship between diversity, fair assessment, and overall research quality and performance.
Mentorship as a Practical Tool for Gender Diversity in Tech
Jarūnė Preikšaitė, CEO of Women Go Tech, presented mentorship as a practical strategy to increase gender diversity in the technology sector. She highlighted real programs connecting professionals and newcomers, emphasizing guidance, role models, and community support as key factors enabling women to enter and remain in tech careers.
White Paper on Gender Policies in Science and Academia (RAICEX)
One of the conference highlights was the presentation of the White Paper on Gender Policies in Science and Academia, developed by RAICEX, the Network of Spanish Researchers and Scientists Abroad. The presentation was delivered by Dr. Rocío Fuente-Pérez and Dr. Sara Barrasa-García, members of RAICEX’s Research and Gender Commission and editors of the White Paper. The publication offers a multidimensional analysis of gender inequality in science across 14 countries on four continents, examining policies and strategies to advance equality in academia.
State of the Art and Lessons Learned in Lithuania
Following the presentation of the RAICEX White Paper, the panel State of the Art and Lessons Learned in Lithuania examined its conclusions in the Lithuanian context. The discussion gathered leading national authorities: Dr. Vaida Aleknavičienė, Minister of Culture of Lithuania; Dr. Regina Valutytė, Vice Minister of Education, Science and Sport; and Dr. Reda Cimmperman, Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures. The session was moderated by Dr. Eglė Malinauskienė, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation at Mykolas Romeris University, and Prof. Dr. Marius Kalinauskas, Head of the Institute of Communication at the same university.
'Epistemic Algorithmic Drift: Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Knowledge, and the Normalization of Gender Inequalities'
by Prof. dr. Paola Panarese
Paola Panarese, Full Professor at Sapienza University of Rome and Director of the Master’s in Gender Studies, Culture, and Media Policies, leads several research initiatives on gender, media, youth cultures, and algorithmic bias, and is Principal Investigator of the PRIN PNRR project IMAGES on inclusive machine learning. Her keynote, Epistemic Algorithmic Drift: Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Knowledge, and the Normalization of Gender Inequalities, examined how AI in science can reinforce or challenge social and gender inequalities, addressing biased data, algorithmic mediation, and pathways toward more equitable scientific futures.
Women in Science Who Make History
From Recognition to Inspiration: Antonia Ferrín Moreiras and Women’s Visibility in Astronomy
Dr. Renata Minkevičiūtė, researcher at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of Vilnius University and recipient of the ELLE Lithuania Women Awards 2025, presented the legacy of Antonia Ferrín Moreiras, highlighting women’s historical and contemporary contributions to astronomy and the importance of visibility and role models in inspiring future generations of scientists.
Announcement of the Inaugural Award Call: Antonia Ferrín Moreiras, ACEBaltic Award for the Best Doctoral Dissertation in Astronomy in the Baltics
Dr. Francisco José Maldonado-Torralba, President of the Association of Spanish Scientists in the Baltic Countries (ACEBaltic) and of the Network of Associations of Spanish Researchers and Scientists Abroad (RAICEX), announced the first call for an award recognizing the best doctoral dissertation in astronomy in the Baltic region, promoting excellence and international scientific collaboration.
'Finding my Place in Quantum Science'
by Dr. Mažena Mackoit-Sinkevičienė
Dr. Mažena Mackoit-Sinkevičienė, a distinguished physicist at Vilnius University and the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology in Lithuania, and recipient of the Baltic Women in Science Fellowship, brings both scientific excellence and authenticity to the stage. In her keynote, she not only explored the fascinating world of quantum science, but also conveyed her deep passion for discovery. Through her personal story—one of perseverance, curiosity, and the pursuit of a dream—she offered an inspiring and genuine perspective on building a career in advanced physics.
'The Meaning of the Untold: Intersectional Stories for Making Women in Science Visible'
by Assoc. Prof. dr. Isabel Palomo-Domínguez
The conference concluded with a keynote by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Isabel Palomo-Domínguez, lead researcher of the PSGENEQ project, which served as a key inspiration for the event. In her talk, she offered an insightful exploration of how untold, intersectional stories can make women in science more visible, highlighting the importance of recognizing diverse identities and contexts in shaping inclusive scientific cultures. Her perspective emphasized how these narratives can influence both policy and practice, fostering greater equity and representation within the scientific community.
Who Makes WinS Possible
WinS emerges as an initiative of the PSGENEQ research project, funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania.
It is organized by Mykolas Romeris University and the Association of Spanish Scientists in the Baltic Countries, with the support of the Europea Women Rectors Association (EWORA), the Embassy of Spain in Lithuania, and the Ramón Areces Foundation.
