The Mind Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC) at the University of Granada (UGR) is launching three initiatives for the 2025/2026 academic year aimed at promoting social commitment and equality. These projects are part of the UGR’s Vice-Rectorate for Equality, Inclusion, and Social Commitment co-funding program and are oriented toward promoting gender equality and well-being. Below, we present each initiative:
1. "Knowledge Awareness and Critical Thinking to Challenge Inequalities Between Men and Women" ("Conocimiento, Consciencia y Pensamiento crítico para desafiar las desigualdades entre hombres y mujeres")
This project, coordinated by researchers Rocío Martínez, Elisa Martín-Arévalo, Nines Ballesteros and Mar Martín-Signes, seeks to foster critical thinking and feminist awareness. Its goal is to contribute from the university setting to the eradication of sexist beliefs, attitudes and behaviors, thus strengthening sensitivity and commitment to equality among participants.
Within this framework, the researchers will organize various activities, such as talks, workshops and colloquia, aimed at the university community. These events will cover the causes and consequences of inequalities between men and women, the impact of sexism, gender stereotypes and biases in society, and the prevention and awareness of different forms of violence against women. The first event took place on October 22 with a conference titled “Organization and Resistance of Palestinian Women in the Face of Occupation and Genocide.”
The project is co-funded and involves the CIMCYC alongside the Departments of Experimental Psychology, Psychobiology and Social Psychology at the University of Granada.
2. "Our Mind Unveiled... Women Scientists Who Create the History of the CIMCYC" ("Nuestra mente al descubierto...Mujeres Científicas que crean la historia del CIMCYC")
Every research project has a story and a face behind it. This initiative—driven by the CIMCYC's Area of Well-being, Equality and Diversity along with a team of researchers from different research groups—has the main objective of increasing visibility and recognizing the essential contribution of women to science and, in particular, to the trajectory of the CIMCYC.
Through various activities centered around an art exhibition, the project seeks to share the stories, careers and work of the center’s women scientists. It also aims to offer spaces for meeting, reflection and mutual support among women researchers through artistic creation.
This project intends to inspire new generations and challenge the gender stereotypes that still persist in the areas of science, technology and research.
3. "Deconstructing Neurosexism" ("Deconstruyendo el neurosexismo")
The primary objective of "Deconstructing Neurosexism" is to raise awareness among diverse audiences about neurosexism and to address the numerous gender stereotypes that have historically filtered into society based on supposed neuroscientific evidence that is scarce.
This successful project, initiated in 2021, returns this academic year to broaden its scope. In previous editions, the project worked with adolescents and youth, mainly in high schools, through workshops and activities to foster critical thinking about these supposed sex differences at the brain level that translate into social inequalities. The new edition will expand its reach to include the adult public and the research community itself, especially those related to psychology and neurosciences, in addition to activities with high schools. It will offer training spaces and visits from expert researchers in the area.
This project is developed by a large and diverse group of researchers from the CIMCYC working in fields such as Cognitive Neuroscience, Experimental Psychology, Social Psychology and Applied Neuropsychology, including Ana Francisca Palenciano, Chiara Avancini, Águeda Fuentes Toral, Carlos González García, Jose María González Peñalver, Sabina León de León, Agar Marín Morales, Elisa Martín Arévalo, Mar Martín Signes Rocío Martínez Gutiérrez, Alba M. Oviedo Castillejo, Paula Pena, María Ruz and Sofía Schwartz.
The project is co-funded and involves the CIMCYC alongside the Departments of Experimental Psychology and Social Psychology.
For the CIMCYC, research excellence is intrinsically linked to social commitment. Addressing and reducing inequalities—including gender inequality—and generating a positive and relevant impact on society are fundamental pillars of its mission as a Unit of Excellence. We encourage you to participate in all activities associated with these projects!