MESSAGE
Kyushu University has been selected along with Tokyo Institute of Technology for MEXT’s Initiative for the Implementation of the Diversity Research Environment (Category: Survey Analysis), which conducts survey analysis of oversea top universities with an aim of contributing to the initiatives to promote the active participation of Japan’s women researchers. Working together, these two institutes have begun “Oversea Survey Analysis on Research Activity of Women Researchers for Their Empowerment 2021 – 2022.”
Kyushu University aims to understand the problem that hinder the promotion of women researchers and defining it precisely based on the principle of gender equality. This effort connects to the various quantitative data analyses that have already been conducted. In addition, we are supporting the promotion of diversity including an international perspective and promoting collaborations with oversea top universities.
Kyushu University has worked on developing environments and systems that support work-life balance within the university, and it has worked on MEXT’s initiatives that promote the active participation of women researchers. However, this survey analysis is the first project that directly contributes to women researchers’ empowerment in Japan as a whole. We aim to analyze the survey findings in unique, thought-provoking ways by applying our expertise in data analysis and our skills in international negotiations that we have gained over the years.
Kyushu University will collaborate with Tokyo Institute of Technology in implementing this project. Under the leadership of Office for the Promotion of Gender Equality, Kyushu University will facilitate it on a university-wide basis while working closely with our relevant departments. The result of this project is expected to promote the active participation of all women researchers across the country. Your cooperation and understanding are highly appreciated.
Tatsuro Ishibashi
President, Kyushu University
In October 2021, Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) launched a project called “Oversea Survey Analysis on Research Activity of Women Researchers for their Empowerment 2021-2022” in collaboration with Kyushu University. The project will continue until March 2023 under the program “MEXT’s Initiative for the Implementation of the Diversity Research Environment (Category: Survey Analysis),” which is sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
In 2004, Tokyo Tech started to consider taking action on gender equality. In 2008, we implemented MEXT’s “Model Program of Support for Women Researchers,”1 as our proposal “Promotion Program of STEM Women Researchers”2 was selected. Following implementation, Tokyo Tech officially established the Gender Equality Section. Since then, the section has been providing a wide range of support to improve the work environment for female researchers and to achieve better work-life balance regardless of gender. It has also been playing an important role in attracting young female talent to research careers.
Although Tokyo Tech did not previously adopt an analytical survey in order to improve employment and career development for female researchers, through this project, we will identify common problems by comparing analytical data between Tokyo Tech (a science and technology university) and Kyushu University (an all-around university) as a first step. Further, we will conduct research on common global issues and ascertain how other countries have been making efforts to solve the challenges they face. We hope this process will ultimately enable us to present our proposal on empowering female researchers in Japan. In this international survey, we will also look into various projects in other countries around the world through activities such as participating in webinars and conducting interviews, and then present our findings to share good practices.
To advance this project, we will closely collaborate with Kyushu University and work together with Tokyo Tech members in the belief that this will help empower female researchers in Japan to realize their full potential. Your understanding and kind support are greatly appreciated.
Kazuya Masu
President, Tokyo Institute of Technology