'Diversity means respecting different mathematical perspectives'
Discussing strategies to reduce the gender disparity in the exact sciences is one of the topics of reflection for the debate groups at the World Meeting for Women in Mathematics (WM)², which takes place this Tuesday (31), at Riocentro.
Issues concerning career, motherhood, patriarchal practices in academia, and public policies to promote increased female representation in science are addressed in the ten available discussion topics. The debates take place in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French, and bring together researchers, students, and professors.
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A minute of silence is observed in honor of Maryam Mirzakhani.
Beyond the issue of gender, cultural diversity is also a subject of reflection. "No single way of thinking about mathematics can encompass all knowledge and practices," says Eliane Costa Santos, professor at the University of International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (Unilab) and moderator of the discussion group on mathematics education and cultural diversity.
“Diversity means respecting different cultures and perspectives on mathematics,” explains Santos, who, along with his group, discusses the study of ethnomathematics in universities and schools.
Through the exchange of experiences and theoretical foundations, the objective of each group is to raise a question or proposition to be presented at the "Network of Women in Mathematics" Panel Discussion, which will take place at 5:30 PM.