BSBF2024 DOSSIER EN

Big Science Business Forum 2024 – Trieste, Italy 135 Big Science Business Forum 2024 – Trieste, Italy 134 8.9.1. Programme The WBSBF programme of activities for the 2024 BSBF included: 1. a second consultation webinar 2. a second edition of the Women in Big Science awards with two separate categories: one for formally constituted organizations and one for semi-formal networks; 3. a poster exhibition featuring the award winners, combined with a networking event; 4. the launch a new WBSBF training scheme; 5. a plenary round table session with big science leaders as part of the BSBF programme. • Webinar in preparation of WBSBF 2024 In view of BSBF 2024, the WBSBF group invited different stakeholders in the big science ecosystem to a second webinar, which took place on 19th April 2024 . The aim was to 1) share lessons from Granada; 2) gain feedback on how to promote policy to create opportunities to advance gender equality in and through big science projects; 3) consult on the sessions planned for Trieste; and 4) obtain initial feedback on the proposal to launch a WBSBF Training scheme . • Award The BSBF Women in Big Science Recognition Award recognizes and celebrates the achievements of organizations, programmes, and teams in creating gender bias-free institutional cultures, where women can thrive on equal terms to men. Given the fact, that organizations may differ in the scope of their activities to advance gender equality, three levels of achievement are recognized: Level 1 celebrates advances in Organizational Culture, Level 2 in Collaborative Partnerships, and Level 3 in Societal Impact. Because networks often operate as semi-formal entities, the 2024 edition of the WBSBF Recognition Award introduced a new award category specifically for Networks. • The WBSBF plenary Round Table session The theme of the plenary session, which took place on 4th October was: “Big Science Projects: an opportunity for policy makers to foster inclusion and gender balance” . WBSBF Group has chosen this theme to reflect the EU’s current concerns such as i) socially responsible and gender-sensitive public procurement practice; ii) gender mainstreaming into all policies and programmes; iii) socio-economic impact of investment in big science. The roundtable discussion was moderated by Elizabeth Pollitzer , who counts more than 20 years of experience in gender equality and diversity in science and the Panelists, leading and relevant experts in the Big Science Ecosystem. • WBSBF Training scheme The BSBF 2024 introduces a new training scheme offering opportunities to big science business projects. This initiative is designed to encourage students and recent graduates, from a variety of fields, to consider big science as their career destination and an entry point to a diverse range of job profiles and professional careers. The aim of the training scheme (open to women and men) is to provide trainees with a unique experience of the work environment of big science business projects and opportunity together with gender equality, diversity, and inclusion influence work culture and environment. They will be encouraged to share their experience and observations to help BSBF communicate more widely and more effectively the range of career opportunities inbigscienceecosystemandpromoteequitableand inclusiveworkcultures. 8.9.3. EURES support to the Working Group EURES—The European Employment Services network—plays an active role in the WBSBF group's activities and meetings, ensuring compliance with European regulations on internship quality (Quality Framework for Traineeships – QFT). • Alignment with EU Strategies This initiative aligns with: • The European Gender Equality Strategy • The European Pillar of Social Rights • The Quality Framework for Traineeships (QFT) • The Council Recommendation of 10 March 2014 on Quality Framework for Traineeships (2014/C 88/01) • Proposal for a Virtual Exhibitor Stand on “Women in Big Science” at BSBF2026 A Virtual Exhibitor Stand will be featured at the BSBF2026 EOJD (European Online Job Day) event. It will serve as an official information hub for promoting and disseminating internship and training opportunities. The session was visible for some weeks after the end of the event at the following link https://europeanjobdays.eu/en/taxonomy/term/50028/agenda 8.9.2. The Group The WBSBF group comprises Francesca Fantini, Aris Apollonatos, Romina Bemelmans, Silvia Bernal Blanco, Carmen Casteras Roman, Ana Belen Del Cerro Gordo, Pilar Rosado, Maria Cristina Sordilli and Nikolaj Zangenberg with the support of the expert Elizabeth Pollitzer . Physics World published an article Why we Need Gender Equality in Big Science , prior to the 2024 BSBF, in both the on-line and the printed versions of the journal, which featured the WBSBF activities. Scientific Programme