We have long been aware of the existence of a gender bias in medicine and health sciences, and of the androcentric view that colors both healthcare practice and biomedical research. We have grown accustomed to considering the male model as a universal reference, applying the same criteria and protocols to everyone, which are not always appropriate for the health of all people (especially for those who fall outside the male standard, such as women). And from a career standpoint, the scissors effect has been amply demonstrated when comparing the differential progression of the academic and professional careers of men and women in science, and the difficulties that women have in making a place for themselves in the scientific and health world.
The 8th edition of sLHam aims to focus not only on women as researchers and scientific professionals, but also on women as researched, to give visibility to shortcomings that are urgent to correct. Have we been sufficiently represented in the research? Are we considered in the design of clinical trials? What consequences can research biased in a masculine sense have on women’s health?
In addition to the global commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, every year the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) organizes the sLHam of female scientists to bring research closer to the public in a relaxed and festive way, and to highlight the role of women in the research system. To this end, a few researchers and scientific professionals from the center explain, in a five-minute monologue, their research, their passion for science, the difficulties they may have had to face throughout their professional careers and, obviously, the successes achieved and the challenges overcome.
The event will take place on Thursday, February 6, at the Barradas Auditorium in L’Hospitalet and, as a novelty, this year there will be two sessions: a morning session, at 11 a.m., for students, and one in the afternoon, at 7 p.m., for the general public. Admission is completely free, but voluntary donations will be collected in the form of a reverse box office that will go to biomedical research at IDIBELL.
This year, the researchers and scientists who will take the stage to share their story are Mercedes Gil-Lespinard, Senda Jiménez, Carmen Monasterio, Xisca Morey, Mireia Olivan and Meritxell Pons, along with two students from the Bellvitge Institute, Paula Burgos and Joana Omoaruna. Alongside all of them, Júlia Benito, IDIBELL’s communication manager, will conduct the event before an audience that, as usual, will actively participate by choosing the best monologue by popular vote.
The sLHam is part of the LHCiencia strategy and is organized with the collaboration of the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, the Bellvitge Institute and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT). In 2025, the event will be part of the programme of the Talent Tour as it passes through L’Hospitalet, promoted by the Princess of Girona Foundation.
The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) is a biomedical research center created in 2004. It is participated by the Bellvitge University Hospital and the Viladecans Hospital of the Catalan Institute of Health, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the University of Barcelona and the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.
IDIBELL is a member of the Campus of International Excellence of the University of Barcelona HUBc and is part of the CERCA institution of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2009 it became one of the first five Spanish research centers accredited as a health research institute by the Carlos III Health Institute. In addition, it is part of the “HR Excellence in Research” program of the European Union and is a member of EATRIS and REGIC. Since 2018, IDIBELL has been an Accredited Center of the AECC Scientific Foundation (FCAECC).