Tohoku University Sawayanagi Fellows Lunch 2025: Building Community for Women in Academia
On June 16, 2025, Tohoku University hosted the annual Sawayanagi Fellows Lunch at its Katahira campus, gathering approximately 60 female researchers, students, faculty, and staff. This event serves as a platform for networking and mentoring, contributing to the university’s initiatives focused on advancing diversity and inclusion within academia.
Purpose of the Event
Organized by the Centre for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the event seeks to connect women from various academic disciplines, enabling them to share experiences and offer mutual support in their professional journeys. Named in honor of Masataro Sawayanagi, Tohoku University’s first president, the lunch recognizes the contributions of the Sawayanagi Fellows—female professors who serve as mentors and role models for emerging talent in academia.
Highlights from the Event
During the event, Teiji Tominaga, the current president of Tohoku University, highlighted the institution’s historical commitment to inclusiveness. He noted that Tohoku University was the first in Japan to admit female students in 1913 and has a legacy of welcoming international students, reflecting an “open door” policy embedded in its foundation.
Tominaga reiterated the importance of fostering a diverse range of talent, stating, “Diversity is a strength, and we will invite excellent researchers from around the world to join us. And we will create an environment where everyone has the freedom to pursue their ideas, share different perspectives, and learn from each other.”
Addressing Gender Disparities
Established in 2010, the lunch addresses the gender disparities that exist in Japanese higher education. Asako Sugimoto, Executive Vice President for Research, pointed out that women currently make up only about 20% of researchers at Tohoku University, with even lower representation in fields such as engineering and science. She noted, “To be competitive on the global stage, we need to be better at embracing both gender and cultural diversity. Events like this are very important.”
Building Connections and Collaboration
Participants at the lunch expressed appreciation for the opportunity to develop connections that extend beyond institutional boundaries. Julia Gerster, an associate professor in disaster memory studies, remarked that social interactions during the event promote collaboration across departments and encourage new networks and projects.
The informal atmosphere of the lunch fosters open dialogue and diminishes traditional hierarchies, facilitating meaningful interactions among researchers, deans, and university leaders. Masayuki Akiyama, vice director of the DEI Centre, emphasized that such gatherings provide accessible opportunities for participants to engage directly with senior officials.
Creating a Sense of Community
Attendees like Rie Umetsu, a professor at the Institute for Materials Research, noted the importance of the event in cultivating a sense of community amid the often isolating nature of academic life. Umetsu stated, “I am the only female researcher in my institute, so I don’t have many opportunities to meet other female researchers. It’s less lonely knowing that there are others facing similar experiences.”
Inspiring Future Generations
The event also underscores Tohoku University’s commitment to inspiring future generations of women in science. Goldina Margaryta, a graduate student and Science Ambassador, discussed the program’s efforts to encourage high school girls to pursue studies in traditionally male-dominated fields by affirming their potential for success.
Further Information
Additional information regarding the Sawayanagi Fellows, the Science Ambassadors program, and other initiatives offered by the DEI Centre is available on their official website.
(Source: Tohoku University)
