The CERCA Institute is driving the creation of a public database of female researchers, mainly with regard to CERCA centres. This database will contain the names of 200 to 300 women who hold prominent positions in their centres, such as directors and group or programme leaders.

This action is being taken to raise the visibility of positions of scientific responsibility many women researchers already hold and facilitate contact with this group, which all too often goes unnoticed. We want to make it easier for female researchers in positions of responsibility to be invited to debates, committees, assessments, the media, juries and so on, at least to the same level as male researchers.

Gender bias in the composition of committees and other such groups is one of the most striking problems in the scientific world, and at the CERCA Institute we want to contribute positively to the free expression of women in research. Failing to do so means lowering the ceiling for the success of our centres. Our role is to attract talent, not divide and limit it.