Shimane University has started to provide facilities and services to female researchers and healthcare staff who have worked for the university or its hospital after 2007. This initiative had been supported by grants fro...Shimane University has started to provide facilities and services to female researchers and healthcare staff who have worked for the university or its hospital after 2007. This initiative had been supported by grants from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology until 2010. Over time, it has become clear that these efforts, including a day-and-night nursery, day-care for sick children, temporary day-care, after-school programs, and research support system have effectively sustained female researchers and staff in maintaining a balance between private life and work. It is essential that the university devote part of its budget along with outside funding for continued childcare, which has so motivated these female employees. Moreover, it is expected that these efforts will become an effective recruitment tool for excellent young teachers and researchers.
Gender equality activity in the Bioimaging Society was initiated in 2005 when it joined the Japan Inter-Society Liaison Association Committee for Promoting Equal Participation of Men and Women in Science and Engineering...Gender equality activity in the Bioimaging Society was initiated in 2005 when it joined the Japan Inter-Society Liaison Association Committee for Promoting Equal Participation of Men and Women in Science and Engineering (EPMEWSE). The Gender Equality Committee of the Bioimaging Society is acting on this issue by following the policy of the EPMEWSE, and has also been planning and conducting lectures at annual meetings of the society to gain the understanding, consents, and cooperation of the members of the society to become conscious of gender equality. Women's participation in the society has been promoted through the activities of the Gender Equality Committee, and the number of women officers in the society has since increased from two women out of 40 members in 2005 to five out of 44 in 2013. The activities of the Gender Equality Committee of the Japanese Association of Anatomists (JAA) have just started. There are more than 400 women belonging to the JAA. When these women members join together and collaborate, women's participation in the JAA will increase.
In gender equality, Japan is still lagging behind other developed nations. The ratio of female to male researchers is only at 14% in 2012, the lowest among developed countries. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,...In gender equality, Japan is still lagging behind other developed nations. The ratio of female to male researchers is only at 14% in 2012, the lowest among developed countries. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in Japan has started the programs to support the female researchers and to develop their leadership activities. Our survey revealed that there are too few women in higher positions who can help younger women with career enhancement. Also, male scientists have unconscious bias when they evaluate their female colleagues. At the same time, female scientists often underestimate their ability when seeking leadership roles. The MEXT programs will only exert a long-term effect on the ratio and roles of women in science if the academic climate and leadership changes in Japan. In Japan, a long-term strategy with support by government and universities is essential to overcome the gender gap and maximize the potential of female scientists.
The proportion of female members in The Japanese Association of Anatomists (JAA) is 18% with the proportion of female members higher among the young generation (20-30 Y.O.; 34.8%, 30-40 Y.O.; 26.8%). However, the number...The proportion of female members in The Japanese Association of Anatomists (JAA) is 18% with the proportion of female members higher among the young generation (20-30 Y.O.; 34.8%, 30-40 Y.O.; 26.8%). However, the number of female members in the Board of Directors has been zero or one (0 or 6%) for many years. More than two female members are necessary on the Board to promote the diversity in the management of the JAA. The numbers of female members in other committees has shown gradual increase in recent years. A substantial increase in female faculty members including professors in each university and school will support the future development of the anatomical research field and the association. We have made the first great step by setting up the committee on promotion of gender equality in JAA in March, 2011. In the next year, JAA became a member of Japan Inter-Society Liaison Association Committee for Promoting Equal Participation of Men and Women in Science and Engineering (EPMEWSE). Our committee's activity includes holding workshops and seminars at the annual meetings to promote gender equality in the research field and to encourage mutual support and friendship, not only among women members but also among all members.
Amizuka N, Hongo H, Miyamoto Y
… +4 more, Hasegawa T, Sasaki M, Yamada T, Yamamoto T
Kaibogaku Zasshi
· 2013 Mar · PMID 23600319
The School of Dental Medicine in Japan nurtures well-trained professionals who are at the cutting edge of the present knowledge in the fields of Dentistry and Dental Technology. As an important part of its mission, many...The School of Dental Medicine in Japan nurtures well-trained professionals who are at the cutting edge of the present knowledge in the fields of Dentistry and Dental Technology. As an important part of its mission, many Schools of Dental Medicine in Japan, including Hokkaido University, also encourages dental students to pursue basic research in the many aspects of Dentistry. It is of importance to cultivate research-minded students in Dental Medicine. Laboratory assignment conducted by the School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, is one process of education curriculum to assign students in the fifth and sixth grade to laboratories of basic sciences. Every dental student should belong to one laboratory, which accepts the fixed number of the students. By means of the research activity of the laboratory assignments, some students obtain new insights on their research projects, and will often have an opportunity for presenting their findings in some academic meetings. Meanwhile, many academic meetings in Japan, including The Japanese Association of Anatomists, often feature special sessions where undergraduate students can present their findings under the guidance of their mentors. Such initiatives led by the Dental School and the academic meetings are geared towards raising interest in research and preparing young investigators for the future.
Nakamura K, Kimura I, Fujita K
… +4 more, Takano Y, Saga T, Ohta K, Yamaki K
Kaibogaku Zasshi
· 2013 Mar · PMID 23600318
Many medical students are interested in basic medical researches. However, to make a decision to get into the research position throughout the life is not easy. In Kurume University, although shortage of clinicians, part...Many medical students are interested in basic medical researches. However, to make a decision to get into the research position throughout the life is not easy. In Kurume University, although shortage of clinicians, partly due to the atmosphere that senior doctors consider experiences of basic research is favorable as well as a re-evaluation of PhD degree, staffs and PhD students with MD or DDS are not very rare in the departments of basic medical sciences including the anatomy department. Some, not many though, MDs once lead clinical experience return to basic research in order to solve problems they encountered at clinical scenes or for enthusiasms for spirit of further inquiry for life sciences. Those might be lead by the push of senior doctors or through "admission course for medical sciences" and "laboratory experience training" in the initial curriculum of the medical course. Open spaces where students and researchers can enjoy free scientific talking are hopefully expected to facilitate establishing students' incentive to participate in basic studies.
Fukushima Medical University launched an MD-PhD program in July, 2011, to foster a research-oriented mindset among medical students. This program consists of a first phase that proceeds in parallel with the regular medic...Fukushima Medical University launched an MD-PhD program in July, 2011, to foster a research-oriented mindset among medical students. This program consists of a first phase that proceeds in parallel with the regular medical school curriculum, and a second postgraduate phase. Upon completion of the first phase, the second phase is expected to take only 3 years, rather than the usual 4 required for a PhD. Moreover, students can obtain financial support from the university. Because of such attractive benefits, 19 medical students enrolled in 2011, much more than we had expected. Here we outline our program and report on a questionnaire survey taken 8 months after the program started.
It is five years since our medical scientist training program (MSTP) of the University of Tokyo started. The program is now working well, thanks to the former head Shigeo Okabe, lecturer Kano Mitsunobu (currently a profe...It is five years since our medical scientist training program (MSTP) of the University of Tokyo started. The program is now working well, thanks to the former head Shigeo Okabe, lecturer Kano Mitsunobu (currently a professor at Okayama University), Assistant Professor Makoto Kurachi (currently a post-doc at University of Pennsylvania). Since last year, new stuffs were recruited and involved in managing the MSTP. Here, I think it is a good chance to verbalize the policy and history of the MSTP.
Japanese medical schools currently confront a serious problem endangering the carrier path of medical students or doctors to the medical research activities in academic institutions. To address this issue, we have establ...Japanese medical schools currently confront a serious problem endangering the carrier path of medical students or doctors to the medical research activities in academic institutions. To address this issue, we have established an elective research promotion curriculum for medical students at the University of Yamanashi School of Medicine in 2006. While this system goes well in recruiting medical students to both basic and clinical research, we encounter now several issues that have to be fixed to consolidate this curriculum. To promote our system, we take part in the consortium of 4 universities in Kanto area (University of Tokyo, Chiba University, Gunma University, University of Yamanashi) for facilitating the interchange of medical students interested in research activities. We have just finished the 3rd summer meeting of affiliates lodging together in Gunma. This system serves for a lieu, where the "habitus" of researcher is shared among medical students and mentors. In the last part, three authors in different generations summarize what's important and problematic in recruiting and settling medical students to academic carrier.
Yaginuma H, Matsumura G, Mori C
… +7 more, Maeda T, Araki N, Noda Y, Nakajima K, Kawata M, Okabe S, working group for the future planning of the Japanese Association of Anatomists
Kaibogaku Zasshi
· 2013 Mar · PMID 23600314
We surveyed medical and dental schools to promote the exchange of information about university efforts to increase the number of research-oriented doctors. Periods in which students rotate through laboratories to conduct...We surveyed medical and dental schools to promote the exchange of information about university efforts to increase the number of research-oriented doctors. Periods in which students rotate through laboratories to conduct research were reported by more than two thirds of universities. Many comments asserted that these efforts are effective. However, a small number of respondents reported low student motivation and insufficient time for laboratory experience. MD-PhD courses, in which students take a leave of absence in the middle of undergraduate training and follow a PhD curriculum, have been employed by more than 10 universities. However, relatively few students have chosen such programs. Modified MD-PhD courses have recently been introduced by several universities. In these courses, by taking part of the graduate school curriculum in advance, undergraduate students can shorten the time they spend in graduate school. Students who take such courses are increasing. There were many opinions that extra positions and financial support for research-oriented doctors are effective and should be enhanced. There were also many opinions that emphasize the importance of identifying research-oriented students, improving laboratory working environments, attending academic meetings and inter-university consortia to maintain students' motivation, and promoting collaboration with departments of clinical medicine.