Gender and Minorities in Science Education: Global Perspectives and Local Practices
Gender and Minorities in Science Education: Global Perspectives and Local Practices
On October 15, an international conference on inclusion, knowledge, and STEM will be held at Federico II University. Registration closes on October 5.
An international conference dedicated to the relationship between gender, minorities, and science education. It isthe International Conference “Gender and Minorities in Science Education – Global Perspectives and Local Practices,” scheduled for October15 , 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,in the Mangoni Auditorium of the Monte Sant’Angelo Complex on Via Cintia.
The conference will bring together researchers and educators from diverse geographic, cultural, and disciplinary backgrounds, with the aim of creating a space for critical reflection on the structural barriers that still limit the participation, recognition, and representation of women and historically marginalized communities in STEM disciplines.
The initiative offers a decolonialperspective through which to examine the historical and contemporary relationships between Western science and colonial processes. Central to this reflection will also be the way in which the legacy of colonialism continues to shape the production of scientific knowledge, educational systems, and the criteria by which scientific knowledge is defined and recognized.
Particular attention will be given to building more equitable and socially responsible learning environments, including through a critical re-examination of curricula and pedagogical practices. This reflection will not only address the content of mathematics and science education but also the ways in which collective inquiry, dialogue, and educational experimentation can contribute to developing a broader understanding of the socio-ecological dimensions of education.
From this perspective, STEM education is considered in its interdependence with social, cultural, ecological, and epistemicdimensions . The topics addressed therefore include environmental vulnerability, social justice, community life, and the value of situated knowledge, linking scientific education to the contexts in which it takes shape.
The conference will also serve as an opportunity to highlight research and teaching experiences from different parts of the world. The comparison between local experiences and international perspectives will highlight how practices deeply rooted in local communities can offer tools and solutions to global challenges, contributing to the development of educational systems capable of recognizing, embracing, and valuing the diversity of forms of knowledge and experience.
The proceedings will begin at 9:00 a.m. with institutional greetings. The official opening of the conference is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. and will be led by Antonella Liccardo, President of the Joint Guarantee Committee (CUG) of the University of Naples Federico II.
The day will then continue with the presentations and activities outlined in the program, within an international context focused on dialogue between research, education, and teaching practices.
Attendance at the conference is free. Registration is open until October 5, 2026, via the event’s dedicated link. Presentations will be delivered in Italian and English, and simultaneous interpretation between the two languages will be available throughout the conference .