Date: November 20, 2025 (THU)
Time: 13:30-16:00
Hybrid Event（Onsite・Online (Webinar)）
Venue:Suisei Hall, Aobayama Commons (J41), Tohoku University.
*There are no parking lots around the venue, so please use the subway or other public transportation.
More Information: Please check the Poster (PDF).
Event materials: In preparation
Simultaneous interpretation available (English-Japanese) / AI-generated subtitles available
The lecture video, with subtitles, will be posted on the Center for DEI website as soon as it is ready.
【Event materials】
・Keynote Speech
“Advancing Gender Equity in STEM: Structural Barriers, Epistemic Bias, and Policy Interventions in Korea“
Heisook Lee（President, GISTeR / Professor Emeritus, Ewha Womans University)
（Japanese / English）
・Speech
“DEI Promotion in Tohoku University: Aiming for a University Where Everyone Shines”
Mami Tanaka（Vice President for Promotion of Diversity / Director, Center for DEI)
（Japanese / English）
・Gender Composition and Trends at Tohoku University
Tohoku University DEI Symposium “Accelerating the Empowerment of Women in STEM: Challenges and Prospects from a Japan–Korea Comparison”
Advancing gender equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) requires tackling both structural imbalances and epistemic bias. Korea provides a compelling case study: while women’s educational attainment has increased, persistent underrepresentation in STEM careers and leadership remains, compounded by gendered assumptions in research and curricula.
To address these challenges, Korea has enacted a series of legal and policy frameworks, including the Framework Act on Gender Equality (2014) and the Act on Fostering and Supporting Women Scientists and Engineers (2002, with subsequent amendments). Recent policy developments promoting sex- and gender-integrated research (SGIR), requiring funding bodies and institutions to incorporate gender perspectives into study design and reporting. These measures signal a shift from theory to practice, embedding gender equity into the structures of research and innovation.
This symposium will discuss the achievements and limitations of Korea’s initiatives and reflect on their potential relevance for advancing gender equity in STEM in Japan and beyond.
Program
General Chairperson:
Masayuki Akiyama (Associate Executive Vice President (for DEI), Vice Director, Center for DEI)
Opening Remarks
Teiji Tominaga（President, Tohoku University)
Guest Remarks
Mutsuko Inoue（Deputy Director-General, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology）
Keynote Speech
“Advancing Gender Equity in STEM: Structural Barriers, Epistemic Bias, and Policy Interventions in Korea“
Heisook Lee（President, GISTeR / Professor Emeritus, Ewha Womans University)
Speech
“DEI Promotion in Tohoku University: Aiming for a University Where Everyone Shines”
Mami Tanaka（Vice President for Promotion of Diversity / Director, Center for DEI)
Break (10 min)
Panel Discussions
“Toward an Inclusive Society that Fosters and Empowers Women in STEM”
Panelists:
Heisook Lee（President, GISTeR / Professor Emeritus, Ewha Womans University）
Kaoru Maruta（Director, Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University）
Yoko Nameki（Specially Appointed Professor, Faculty of Commerce, Chuo University）
Sayaka Tanaka（CEO, Waffle）
Narie Sasaki（Vice Director, Center for DEI, Tohoku University）（Facilitator）
Closing Remarks
Mami Tanaka（Vice President for Promotion of Diversity / Director, Center for DEI)
Application for Participation
Deadline: Friday, November 14, 2025
●Onsite Participation：Google Form
●Online Participation：Registration Form (Zoom)
*By participating, you consent to the recording of the event and its release, publication, exhibition and/or reproduction.
*If you require any assistance in participating, please contact us in advance.
For Inquiries
DEI Promotion Section, Human Resources and Planning Division, Tohoku University
TEL:022-217-6353
E-mail: dei＠grp.tohoku.ac.jp