Initiative for Realizing a Diverse Research Environment (Women Leader Development Type)
Nagasaki University (Center for Diversity Promotion) has been selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) 2025 subsidy program for human resource development in science and technology, titled the “Initiative for Realizing a Diverse Research Environment (Women Leader Development Type).”
This program provides support to institutions that set ambitious and challenging numerical targets and undertake comprehensive, original initiatives to promote the appointment of female researchers to senior positions such as president, vice president, professor, and associate professor.
Through its ongoing efforts, Nagasaki University has ranked first among national comprehensive universities (excluding women’s universities) in the proportion of female faculty members for three consecutive years since 2021. To further advance as a comprehensive university that leads the international community, the University has established the following goals under this initiative.
In addition, this program will collaborate with the “Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities with Regional Core and Distinctive Characteristics (J-PEAKS)” adopted in 2024, to further strengthen support for young and female researchers.
(Implementation period: 2025 – 2030)
GOALS
- Increase the proportion of women on the Education and Research Council, the University’s decision-making body, to 30% or higher
Raise the proportion of female professors and associate professors to at least 25% each, thereby accelerating career advancement
Achieve a hiring rate of 40% or higher for female researchers and increase their overall representation to 30% or higher
Clarify and strengthen career pathways for female researchers in the natural sciences
- Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in a sustainable manner
Increase the proportion of female administrative staff at section chief level and above to 40% or higher
Initiative for Realizing a Diverse Research Environment (Advanced Type)
Nagasaki University (Center for Diversity Promotion) was selected in 2019 for the MEXT subsidy program “Initiative for Realizing a Diverse Research Environment (Advanced Type).”
This program aims to enhance diversity in research environments and link it to the creation of outstanding research outcomes. Participating institutions are required to establish and publish goals and action plans for comprehensive career management, including the promotion of female researchers and the development and retention of young researchers, taking into account the unique characteristics of each institution and region.
The program supports initiatives such as:
・Development of research environments that consider life events and work-life balance for female researchers
・Efforts to improve research capabilities of female researchers
・Active recruitment of female researchers
・Support for returning to research after career interruptions or leaving employment
・Promotion of female researchers to senior positions
Building on its past achievements, Nagasaki University will incorporate diverse perspectives and approaches to further enhance the research capabilities of female researchers and promote their advancement to senior positions.
(Implementation period: 2019 – 2024 [planned])
Major Initiatives
- Female Researcher Support Program
- Diversity Promotion Learning Program
GOALS and ACTION PLAN
- Develop and promote participation in a “Diversity Promotion Learning Program” as a form of positive action toward a broader diverse research environment
- Promote workstyle reforms in medical and biomedical research fields and disseminate these efforts as advanced case studies
- Increase the number of female researchers in senior positions (through hiring rates, retention rates, and promotion)
- Implement support programs for female researchers (e.g., overseas dispatch support, incentives for appointment to professorships)
Initiative for Realizing a Diverse Research Environment（Characteristic / Distinctive Type）
Nagasaki University (Center for Diversity Promotion) was selected in 2015 for the MEXT subsidy program “Initiative for Realizing a Diverse Research Environment (Distinctive Type)” (17 applications, 7 selected).
This program supports universities and institutions that implement cross-departmental initiatives to improve research environments by considering researchers’ life events and work-life balance, promoting awareness reform within institutions, expanding the base of female researchers, enhancing their research capabilities, and promoting their appointment to senior positions.
At Nagasaki University, building on its past achievements, the University has introduced diverse perspectives and approaches to further enhance the research capabilities of female researchers and promote their advancement to senior positions through the following initiatives.
(Implementation period: 2015 – 2020 [planned])
Major Initiatives
- Women Leader Development Program
- Workstyle Reform Program (Nagasaki University WSI)
- Public Lectures
- Life Event Support Program
- Caregiver Support System in Collaboration with the Community
- Publication Development
GOALS and ACTION PLAN
- Implement university-wide programs such as the “Women Leader Development Program,” “Workstyle Reform Program for Researchers,” and “Life Event Support Program”. Place particular emphasis on the “Life Event Support Program” in response to the rapidly increasing need for caregiving support.
- Reorganize the Center’s structure by establishing bodies such as the “Diversity Research Environment Promotion Council,” which plans overall initiatives, and the “Care Support Committee,” which implements support for balancing research and caregiving. Assign caregiving concierges (specialists in caregiving) to provide detailed, individualized support to faculty and staff.
- In collaboration with the local community, provide information, awareness activities, and forums for exchange for caregivers, and foster supporters (local residents and students) who assist caregivers.
MEXT Program: “Model Development for Supporting Female Researchers”
（Implementation period: 2009 – 2011）