Gender balance and inclusivity lie in the organizers' hands: insights from organizing the 7th International Induced Polarization Workshop

Journal article, 2025

Our viewpoint highlights the challenges faced by women in the Induced Polarization (IP) community (and elsewhere), particularly the persistent gender imbalance in scientific workshops. This underrepresentation in leadership roles, presentations and discussions reflects broader systemic biases in academia. By sharing the experience of the 7th IP workshop, where the organizing team made deliberate efforts to prioritize gender and diversity in organizing committees, recruitment and session formats, we demonstrate how intentional actions can create a more inclusive, gender-balanced environment. This approach is crucial not only for the IP community but for all research communities. Emphasizing diversity and inclusion fosters a welcoming atmosphere that encourages participation from all individuals, regardless their background. In turn, this enriches the research process by incorporating diverse perspectives, driving innovation and improving scientific outcomes. We aim to inspire other academic communities to actively promote diversity and inclusivity, recognizing that such efforts not only benefit underrepresented groups but elevate the success and relevance of science as a whole.