On January 17, 2025, the Center for Environmental Health Science Research and Education hosted a seminar entitled "Planetary Health Initiatives in Japan: From the Activities of the Hiroshima University Planetary Health Innovation Center." Also on the same day, a meeting was held with the female researchers invited to the seminar.DEIAn exchange of opinions was held regarding this matter.
This seminar is for Professor Yufu Aitsubama, Specially Appointed Associate Professor at the Center for Environmental Health Science Research and Education.“Support for inviting female researchers”It was carried out by [company name].
Below, we present the report.
Overview
Seminar Title: Planetary Health Initiatives in Japan ~From the Activities of the Hiroshima University Planetary Health Innovation Center~
Date and time: January 17, 2025 (Friday) 13:30-15:30
Venue: Main Conference Room, Medical School Centennial Hall
Invited speaker: Associate Professor Saori Kashima (Deputy Director, International Cooperation Organization, Graduate School of International Cooperation (IDEC), Hiroshima University / Director, IDEC Planetary Health Innovation Center (PHIS))
Participants: 22
DEIExchange of opinions on the matter
Date: September 2025, 1 (Friday) 17:16-00:17
Venue: Center for Environmental Health Sciences, 2nd Floor, General Research Building, Central Campus
Participants: 6
Results of the implementation
1) Regarding seminars, etc.
At the seminar "Planetary Health Initiatives in Japan: From the Activities of the Hiroshima University Planetary Health Innovation Center," held on January 17, 2025 (Friday) in the main conference room of the Centennial Hall of the Faculty of Medicine, Associate Professor Saori Kashima, Vice Director of the International Collaboration Organization at the Hiroshima University Graduate School of International Cooperation (IDEC) and Director of the IDEC Planetary Health Innovation Center (PHIS), was invited as a lecturer. She gave a lecture on her experiences in international and interdisciplinary collaboration utilizing disaster data and geographic information systems (GIS), research examples in the field of international health, and the concept of planetary health. Planetary health takes into account not only the health of human society but also the health of the entire global environment, and the significance of working across diverse research fields was emphasized, while also touching upon its connection to the SDGs. The event was attended by 22 participants, including researchers from various fields such as medicine and environmental science. Associate Professor Kashima shared concrete examples based on his overseas experience, such as emergency medical transport to remote areas in rural healthcare and the development of medical information in international cooperation projects. During the Q&A session, there was a lively exchange of opinions on the possibilities of academic exchange and joint research to further strengthen cooperation with academic institutions and local communities not only within Japan but also overseas.
2) With the female researcherDEIRegarding the exchange of opinions, etc.
On the same day, from 4:00 PM, at the Center for Environmental Health Science Research and Education on the 2nd floor of the General Research Building on the Central Campus, there will be a meeting with the female researcher.DEIWe held an exchange of opinions on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Topics included examples of university initiatives regarding gender equality and multicultural coexistence, career development and challenges for female researchers, and the effectiveness of diversity in interdisciplinary research. Six participants exchanged opinions from various perspectives, each from their respective areas of expertise.
Through this seminar and exchange of opinions, we will discuss the necessity of promoting interdisciplinary and international research, as well as the organizational structure regarding the recruitment of diverse personnel (including international personnel) at Lecturer Kashima's affiliated organization, methods for dividing and managing work that emphasize fairness and flexibility, and the challenges and solutions involved.DEISpecific experiences in promoting this initiative were shared. It was also confirmed that the existence of role models of female researchers who leverage their expertise to demonstrate leadership in the fields of international health and environmental health science is a great source of encouragement for young researchers both inside and outside the university. It is hoped that actively disseminating such models will accelerate the creation of diverse research organizations and their social implementation. Moving forward, it is essential to create a research environment in which female researchers can continue their research activities with peace of mind, as we explore the development of on-campus lectures incorporating a planetary health perspective, the promotion of domestic and international collaborative research, and the development of empirical projects in cooperation with local governments and industry. To this end, it is necessary to continuously strengthen research funding and personnel support and awareness campaigns against unconscious bias. Furthermore, we plan to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will take on interdisciplinary research by regularly holding seminars and workshops that span multiple specialized fields, while ensuring diversity and improving inclusivity within the university. It is expected that this seminar will lead to a further deepening of collaboration with the Hiroshima University IDEC Planetary Health Innovation Center.DEIThis represents a significant step towards achieving concrete results and developing human resources in the promotion process.
Lecture by Professor Kashima
Question and Answer Session ①
Q&A ②
Group photo
