Outreach is one of the priority missions at ICFO, which has a wide range of activities aimed at promoting the potential, pervasiveness and ubiquity of the science and technology of light and its industrial applications. Special attention is paid to include the gender dimension in the design and implementation of the activities as well as in targeting participation. ICFO is always looking to transmit an unbiased image, to give visibility to the achievements of female scientists and to promote female role models.

This is done both locally and internationally. ICFO is the founder and coordinator of the ECOP (European Centers for Outreach in Photonics), which brings together prominent research centers throughout Europe especially active in the dissemination of photonics and who collaborate in various programs financed by the EU. As part of this network, ICFO has a very active role in the Gender Committee, created to support the alliance’s initiatives in their promotion of girls and women in science and technology. In this context, it is interesting to highlight ICFO’s involvement in the gender equality actions of the European Quantum Flagship initiative as well as in specific projects such as PHABLABS 4.0.