Rome, Italy — The international conference Sustaining Knowledge During Crises: Gender and Displacement in Science opens today at Palazzo Corsini in Rome. The two‑day event is convened by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), which is hosted in Trieste, Italy, by The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS).
The event brings together 50 researchers, practitioners, and representatives of scientific institutions and embassies from around the world, including participants from Myanmar, Sudan, State of Palestine, and Ukraine, among others.
“The conference brings together diverse perspectives to examine how scientific work and careers are sustained under conditions of crisis, with a particular focus on gender dynamics. It highlights the experiences of displaced scientists and students and the role of institutions, policies, and programmes in enabling scientific continuity and inclusion,” said OWSD President Luisa Echeverría-King.
“Armed conflict, rights violations, and climate pressures are driving large‑scale displacement, including of scientists, engineers, and other highly trained professionals. Supporting their continued engagement in science is critical for sustaining development during crises and rebuilding afterward,” said TWAS Executive Director Marcelo Knobel.
The conference focuses on how conflict, displacement, and prolonged crises affect scientific work, careers, and knowledge production, with particular attention to the gendered dimensions of these disruptions. Discussions examine the experiences of displaced scientists and students, the role of host institutions, and the programmes and policies that support scientific continuity under conditions of instability.
The programme includes keynote lectures, thematic panels, roundtables, and a film screening, offering academic, institutional, and lived‑experience perspectives on sustaining science during crisis situations. Contributions span disciplines and regions, reflecting the global and interdisciplinary nature of the challenges faced by scientific communities affected by war, forced migration, and humanitarian emergencies.
The conference is hosted at Palazzo Corsini, Via della Lungara 10, Rome, the seat of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Italy’s national academy of science.
“The Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei is pleased to host this important international conference. Bringing these discussions to Palazzo Corsini highlights the shared responsibility of scientific institutions to support knowledge, researchers, and international cooperation in times of crisis,” says Roberto Antonelli, President of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.
Ignazio Visco, Director of Banca d’Italia (Italy’s Central Bank) from 2011 to 2023 and member of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, conveyed his strong support for the event and welcomed guests in person. In his opening remarks, he set the tone by emphasizing that knowledge is not merely an asset, but a resource that must be fully harnessed.
About OWSD
The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) promotes and strengthens the role of women scientists from the global South in science and technology. It does it by empowering women through training and networking opportunities, supporting their research and leadership throughout their careers, and advocating for gender equality in science and technology. With its network of over 12,000 women scientists living and working in the developing world and 59 national chapters across the global South, OWSD operates as a thriving ecosystem where women scientists share insights, gain resources, and drive inclusive research. The OWSD Secretatiat is hosted in Trieste, Italy, by The World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in developing countries (TWAS), a Programme Unit of UNESCO.
Press contacts:
Giulia Pizzolini, WISDOM Programme secretariat, OWSD, g.pizzolini@owsd.net
Giovanni Ortolani, TWAS Public Information Officer, TWAS, gortolani@twas.org