Idoia Azaldegui presents the EMAKIKER programme on Radio Nacional de España

POLYMAT General Manager Idoia Azaldegui took part in La Hora Optimista, the Radio Nacional de España (RNE) programme broadcast on 8 November 2026. In the section “El poder de una idea”, she presented EMAKIKER, the POLYMAT programme that supports women scientists in building an independent research career.

The story began in 2018. At that time, only one woman led a research group at POLYMAT, even though the centre had a great deal of female talent. EMAKIKER was created to attract women scientists and help them lead their own research group. The programme offers a five-year contract, resources to set up a laboratory and support to obtain funding. As Azaldegui explained, leading a scientific team requires a lot of work, and researchers need an opportunity to show what they can do.

Over the years, experienced researchers from centres in different countries have joined POLYMAT. By June 2025, six women scientists had joined through the initiative and women accounted for 46% of senior research staff. The EMAKIKER researchers had also secured €4.3 million in funding and published 60 scientific articles.

For Azaldegui, these results show how much talent can contribute when it has the opportunity to grow. In addition, women who start their research careers at POLYMAT today have female role models. “In 2018 we saw a situation that needed to improve, we made a decision and sustained it over the years, and now we can see the results,” she said. “Change starts by giving someone an opportunity to show everything they can contribute.”

Listen to the programme on RTVE Play (in Spanish).