Diversity in Science – How to Promote Inclusion & Empowerment in Japan

Innovation thrives on diversity. Which questions we ask in science and how we address them is heavily influenced by our personal and social background. Engaging people from different backgrounds – such as gender, nationality or age – is important to broaden the scope of questions and generate new insights.

Japan faces great challenges when it comes to diversity: In the Gender Gap Report Japan ranks last among the G7, a scientific career has become unattractive for many young researchers, and during the pandemic the number of international students dropped to a minimum due to closed borders. However, as the government is carefully beginning to re-open borders and discusses new financial support for PhD students, times could be changing.

What can universities do to promote inclusion and empowerment to create an environment where diversity and innovation truly thrive? This question will be addressed in a panel discussion organized by DWIH Tokyo and OAG on Oct 19.

Organized by: DWIH Tokyo & OAG (German East Asiatic Society)
Date: October 19, 18:00-20:30 (JST) / 11:00-12:30 (CEST)
Language: English (with Japanese interpretation)
Recording (English): https://youtu.be/Maq4HrfW8Ao
Recording (Japanese): https://youtu.be/lB4gbihEe-M

This event is held during the exhibition „Fascination of Science” (participants are invited to visit the exhibition in the lobby before and after the event).

All participants on-site are cordially invited to a reception with drinks and buffet at the German Cultural Center after the panel discussion (19:30-20:30).

Program (PDF, 100 KB)

Program & Speakers

[Keynote 18:10-18:30 JST / 11:10-11:30 CEST]

“Our Challenge, My Work: Turning UTokyo into a Global  University”

Prof. Dr. Kaori Hayashi, Executive Vice President “Diversity and Global Affairs“, The University of Tokyo
Bio

 

 


[Panel Discussion 18:30-19:30 JST / 11:30-12:30 CEST]

[Chair]

Dr. Nora Kottmann, Principal Researcher and Head of Research Group “Methods and Methodologies”, German Institute for Japanese Studies

 

 

 

[Guests]

Prof. Dr. Yuko Harayama, former Executive Director at RIKEN in charge of international affairs, promotion of young researchers, and diversity

 

 

 

Prof. Dr. Kaori Hayashi, Executive Vice President “Diversity and Global Affairs“, The University of Tokyo

 

 

 

Axel Karpenstein, Director DAAD Regional Office Tokyo

 

 

 

Herlinde Koelbl, Photographer & Artist, Creator of the project “Faszination Wissenschaft”

 

 

 

Dr. Nami Sakai, Chief Scientist, Director of Star and Planet Formation Laboratory RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research

Profile / researchermap

 


[Reception from 19:30-20:30 JST for all onsite participants in Tokyo]

Event Information

October 19, 2022, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

OAG Hall (7-5-56 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052) / Online
Organizer(s): DWIH Tokyo, OAG (German East Asiatic Society)

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