Diversity and Work-Life Balance Program

At the MIRU2025 Diversity & Work-Life Balance (D&WLB) Program, we offer a platform to collaboratively explore the future of evolving work styles in research environments and career paths that adapt to various life stages. The program includes both a seminar and a social gathering, and we warmly invite you to join us for this engaging and thoughtful exchange.  

Registration form

https://forms.gle/9Eiyeh6RV7P3YqHQ6

※Registration is required.  

July 30th: Seminar on Work Style Reform for Researchers by a Labor and Social Security Attorney

We are pleased to present a special lecture by a certified Labor and Social Security Attorney, focused on promoting improved working practices specifically within research laboratories. This lecture will focus on labor challenges unique to research laboratories, offering clear guidance on effective solutions and fundamental labor-management regulations. This valuable session offers faculty, industry researchers, and students alike practical insights for creating a more supportive and productive research environment. We warmly encourage everyone to participate.

• Date and Time：Wednesday, July 30, 2025 | 12:25 – 13:25

• Format：Luncheon Seminar (lunch boxes will be provided) 

The seminar will also be streamed live via Zoom. If you wish to attend online, please register through the Registration Form. 

Please note that the seminar will be held exclusively in Japanese. 

Rethinking the Lab as a Workplace: Strategies for Improving the Research Environment

University and graduate school laboratories possess distinct characteristics that set them apart from standard corporate structures. Research directions are often guided by faculty and researcher interests rather than commercial profit motives.  The academic environment prioritizes institutional autonomy, while funding and resources from government and academic bodies are often constrained.  While faculty and researchers enjoy considerable autonomy in their work, this can sometimes lead to ambiguities in labor management.  Furthermore, a competitive spirit permeates both the organizational and individual levels. This lecture will address fundamental labor laws and employer-employee relations, highlighting current workplace challenges and relevant initiatives undertaken by government and private sectors. By framing the laboratory as a "workplace" with an emphasis on job satisfaction, we will explore potential solutions to enhance the lab environment and work practices.

Aug 1st: Social Gathering for Discussing about Diversity & Work-Life Balance

This social gathering will provide an opportunity to discuss work-life balance tailored to each participant’s role. Lunch will be provided, and we encourage everyone to engage in lively discussions. To facilitate comfortable conversations, participants will be divided into groups based on self-selection and preferences. Please refer to the tentative schedule below (may be subject to change depending on circumstances).

• Date and Time：Friday, August 1, 2025 | 12:25 PM – 1:25 PM 

• Format：Social Gathering

• Tentative Schedule：

  • 5 minutes: General Introduction 

  • 10 minutes: Group Self-Introductions 

  • 20 minutes: Work-Life Balance Discussion within Groups 

  • 10 minutes: Group Summary 

  • 15 minutes: Overall Sharing and Wrap-Up 

• Groups (Please select your preferred group when registering):

  • Students ※ (In Japanese)

  • Young researchers (In Japanese)

  • Parents with young children (In Japanese)

  • Senior researchers (In Japanese)

  • International Students & Researchers (In English)

※ Sponsoring companies will join our groups to share examples from their organizations.

(Note: As this is a social gathering, there will be no Zoom streaming) 

CONTACT

If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to contact us here.

miru2025-wlb@googlegroups.com

Organizing Committee

Diversity and Work-Life Balance Chair  

・Mayu Otani (CyberAgent)

・Daiki Kimura (IBM / Univ of Electro-Communications)

International Committee Members

・Antonio Tejero-de-Pablos (CyberAgent)

・Wu Shuqiong (Osaka University)