About Us
Under the initiative of the president of Kyoto University, the Center for Women Researchers was established in September, 2006, to provide an environment in which women researchers can fully exercise their abilities and to promote the development of excellent young researchers.
The Center’s ultimate goal is to increase the number of women researchers. Together with the Gender Equality Promotion Office, and in cooperation with the local community, the Center works toward the realization of a gender-equal society.
Administrative Structure
Programs and Activities
The Center promotes various activities through four programs, to develop and improve the research/education environment for women researchers so that they can continue their research work and cultivate successors.
These programs are not only for women researchers, but also for faculty members and students.
Providing Information
Since the center provides useful information through our website, please register your e-mail address on our mailing list. Also, the Center issues the newsletter “Tachibana” and has published the booklet “I’m Going to Be a Researcher.”
The Tachibana Award for Most Outstanding Female Researcher at Kyoto University
The Tachibana Award was established in September, 2008 to reward the excellent research achievements of young women researchers. By publicly honoring young women researchers, the award aims to further motivate not only the researchers who receive the award, but also younger women researchers following in their path, to eventually contribute to the cultivation of excellent women researchers who will support the future of scientific research in Japan. Tachibana Award winners are selected annually, one each from the student and researcher divisions. The winners give presentations on their research subjects after the award ceremony. 
Lectures Related to Gender Differences/Equality
In cooperation with faculty members in related fields, the Center offers common courses
called “Thinking about Gender - From the Perspective of Humanities and Social Sciences -” for the first semester and “Thinking about Gender - From the Perspective of Natural Science -” for the second semester. The Center also offers a pocket seminar called “Gender and Science” for the first semester.
Assertiveness Training
The Center provides a course of Assertiveness Training for female students, researchers and faculty members. “Are you overstressed from dealing with interpersonal relationships in your laboratory?” If you are in a difficult situation, you can learn how to resolve the problem through this course.
Female Grad Students’Group Talk
The Center occasionally hosts “Group Talk” for female graduate students, in the center meeting room. Female graduate students gather at the Center, bringing their own lunch, to give presentations on their studies and exchange ideas with their peers.
Support for Child Care
Nursery Room for Sick Children (Komomo)
This day care facility provides care for sick children who are unable to attend their regular day care facility, kindergarten or elementary school. The ursery Room for Sick Children includes an isolation room to prevent infection.
Infant Care Room for Infants Awaiting Public Day Care
The Infant Care Room aids female researchers and students whose children are awaiting admission to public day care facilities.
Child Pick-up & Care Service
The Center sends a care provider to pick up children at regular day care or after-school care, when their parents are unable to do so, and temporarily provides care for the children at the Center’s facility.
Various Symposiums, Study Meetings etc.
The Center occasionally hosts various symposiums, study meetings and training programs relating to gender equality. We provide information on each event via our website and mailing list. University members are encouraged to participate in the events.
Facility Use & Book Lending Service
The Center’s facilities are available for small meetings or temporary child care during study meetings etc. Works donated by female faculty members and gender-related books are also available for lending. Feel free to use our library.
Round Table Forum for High School Students
Through exchanges with faculty members and students at Kyoto University, this forum gives high school students a chance to learn about the work researchers do.
Kids’Science Summer School
This summer science school is available to first-year - third-year elementary school children of university members.
Lectures and Symposiums Relating to Nursing Care
The Center hosts various lectures and symposiums relating to nursing care, such as the lecture series for senile dementia patient supporters “Learn about Senile Dementia and the Nursing Care”
Financial Support for Hiring Research/Experiment Assistants
This system provides financial support for researchers to hire research/experiment assistants while they are away from work on maternity leave, for child-raising or family care and so have difficulty securing time for their research. Applications for this system are accepted twice per year (June and December).