On 20 June, the Institute of Integrative Systems Biology I2SysBio (CSIC-University of Valencia) hosted an inspiring talk by Alva Saa, an expert in diversity in science, technology and innovation, who presented the ten PRISMA measures to promote inclusive environments in research.

 

The measures, developed by PRISMA (Association for Affective-Sexual and Gender Diversity in Science, Technology and Innovation), address three fundamental pillars: education, protection and visibility. These include training staff in LGTBIQA+ diversity, creating safe channels for reporting discrimination and raising the profile of role models from the community in the scientific field.

 

Saa stressed the importance of avoiding binary classifications in forms and physical spaces, such as bathrooms, and of promoting transition protocols for transgender people. The rejection of pseudoscientific discourses that perpetuate stigmas and the need to incorporate an intersectional and feminist perspective in all actions were also emphasised.

 

The talk, part of I2SysBio's commitment to equality, made it clear that a more diverse science is also a higher quality science. The active participation of research, technical and management staff in this type of initiative is key to building safe and equitable spaces for all identities.