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About Us

We are a public and multidisciplinary research centre dedicated to cutting-edge research in advanced functional materials, pursuing excellence in generating and transferring knowledge and developing scientific and technical tools and methodologies.

Our aim is to create new knowledge and innovative solutions to some of the biggest and most complex challenges that our society currently faces: materials for clean and secure energy, materials for low-cost electronics, and materials for smart nanomedicine.

We are a CSIC centre located at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) Campus, surrounded by other research and technological centres and with access to many state-of-the-art equipment and scientific facilities. With over 400 members, we are a beautiful workplace for young and experienced researchers.

HISTORICAL FACTS

ORGANIZATION

TIMELINE

Facts & Figures

Our Personnel

Publications

Most frequent collaborators

Funding

1.- TOTAL

2.- COMPETITIVE

3.- EVOLUTION

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The equality-related activities carried out at ICMAB throughout 2025 were:

Launch of the implementation of the Action Plan for Equality and Inclusion at ICMAB 2024–28 (PLA3I), approved by the Board in November 2024

The PLA3I actions to be carried out in the first semester and the first year were assigned to the different working groups of the CIGiD, according to the type of action. The people responsible for each action proceeded to design it, following a template that was established (including objectives, responsible and involved staff, target audience, implementation plan, budget, and evaluation indicators). In total, 44 of the 86 planned actions were initiated, and several more are in the definition phase.

Renewal of the ICMAB Equality website

Throughout 2025, the ICMAB website was updated to include information on equality at ICMAB, news and activities, CSIC equality-related documents (including the Equality Plan, anti-harassment protocols, and guidelines), awareness information on sexual and gender-based harassment, and links to relevant studies, courses, and best practices on equality and inclusion:

https://www.icmab.es/about/equality-at-icmab

In the ICMAB Welcome course, on the intranet, structured in three sections (see supplementary document), there is information regarding gender and diversity actions carried out at the center, as well as ways to contact members of the Commission and dissemination of the main reporting channels for harassment. The “Zero Tolerance: against sexual and gender-based harassment” documents from both ICMAB and CSIC are also included.

Awareness-raising activities and efforts to combat sexual and gender-based harassment

During 2025, the continued dissemination of printed informational material produced at the end of 2024 was maintained: the CSIC brochure (in Spanish and English) and a leaflet with more specific information on reporting channels and support at ICMAB (in Catalan and English). This material is distributed throughout ICMAB, posted on notice boards (with QR codes for accessing documents), displayed on the reception screen, and available on the website.
In addition, an awareness poster against harassment was designed.

Inclusion of awareness materials in the Welcome process for new staff at ICMAB

Awareness information on equality, coexistence, and zero tolerance for harassment was incorporated into the Welcome Pack provided to new employees joining ICMAB, as well as into the Welcome Session for new staff, which is held in person at the center twice a year.

This general information includes references to materials provided by CSIC and ICMAB’s own materials, as well as local contacts for any type of harassment or conflict, and the protocols in place to address such cases.

Drafting of a Decalogue of Good Practices on Equality and Inclusion

The decalogue was drafted in three languages and distributed.

Conferences, workshops, and awareness activities for equality and inclusion

Commemoration program for February 11 (11F) and March 8 (8M)

At ICMAB, both dates are commemorated jointly through a program of diverse activities (https://icmab.es/all-the-icmab-activities-for-commemoration-of-the-11f-and-8m), as this approach highlights the role of women scientists as workers while also recognizing the contributions of research support staff.

In 2025, the activities included the presentation of the ICMAB Action Plan for Equality, as well as a round table on the future from a gender perspective among early-stage researchers, and two seminars on AMIT and gender economics:

  • Seminar Do we still need equality plans in R&D?, Lourdes Fàbrega, February 19.
  • Seminar A vision for gender equity: role of AMIT in driving change, Azucena Bardají, president of AMIT-Cat, February 26. This seminar was part of the annual cycle of equality and inclusion activities at ICMAB, Breaking Barriers Together, established in 2024.
  • Round table Early Stage Researchers: Road Ahead with a Gender Perspective, March 7.
  • Seminar Why do gender gaps in the labor market persist?, Lidia Farré, researcher at IAE (CSIC), March 10.

Visibility and support for sexual and gender minorities

Following prior analysis and collaboration between the CIGiD, the center’s management, and the maintenance team, several restrooms at the center were renovated and designated as gender-neutral.

During the week of June 28, which has been commemorated since 2023 with various activities, the rainbow pride flag is flown on the main façade of ICMAB as a sign of support and commitment to the LGTBIQA+ community. In 2025, rainbow wristbands were also distributed, informational banners were displayed on ICMAB screens to highlight that the LGBTIQA+ community is still persecuted or discriminated against in many parts of the world, and the activity Paint Your Nails was आयोजित at the entrance of ICMAB. This initiative offered nail painting, emphasizing that nails do not define you, but painting them can help make visible what is often hidden and empower those who feel oppressed.

To commemorate the Day for the integration and visibility of the LGTBIQA+ community within the scientific and technological field in Spain (November 18), the following seminar was organized on November 13:

  • LGTBIQA+ Diversity in STEM: Current Situation and Actions for Equality, delivered by Aitor Villafranca. This seminar was also part of the annual Breaking Barriers Together program of equality and inclusion activities at ICMAB.

Sustainability

The Sustainability Committee of the ICMAB is made up of 16 representatives from all the departments, services, and units of the ICMAB. The main objective of the committee is to reduce the environmental impact of the Institute across all its areas of activity and to raise awareness through outreach activities that accompany these actions.

The three areas of action:

As stated in its foundational document “ICMAB Sustainability Working Group,” the areas of action are:

Overarching aims
  • Assess and monitor the Institute’s environmental impact and compare it with similar institutes and laboratories.
  • Raise awareness about resource use.
  • Reduce our consumption.
  • Disseminate our actions and improvements to the wider community.
Sustainability at the ICMAB
  • Minimize water consumption.
  • Optimize energy use (including laboratory and IT equipment).
  • Reduce, reuse, and recycle general materials.
  • Use green chemicals and synthesis routes whenever possible.
Furthering the external impact
  • Reduce our impact from commuting to the ICMAB and from business travel.
  • Communicate the research on sustainable materials carried out at the ICMAB.
  • Engage in sustainability initiatives in our environment.
The committee is divided into four working subgroups focused on outreach, waste management, consumption quantification, and the sustainable improvement of laboratories. However, in practice, the actions of the different groups operate in an interconnected way: everything is part of the same cycle, and everything is related.
Actions in 2025
  • Preparation of the integrated management document for general waste at the ICMAB: “Comprehensive Waste Management Manual at the ICMAB.”
  • Awareness campaign on healthy eating, promotion of local products, and organization of a monthly delivery of a fruit basket at the center, featuring seasonal and locally sourced fruit.
  • Outreach visit to the wastewater treatment plant in Sant Feliu de Llobregat and the drinking water treatment plant in Sant Joan Despí, taking advantage of World Water Day.
  • Organization of Sustainability Week, with activities such as a seminar by Antonio Turiel, “The Sustainability Crisis of the 21st Century,” a cycling route and plogging activity around the UAB campus, and the screening of the documentary “The Salt of the Earth.”
  • Organization of European Mobility Week at the ICMAB, including the implementation and presentation of the results of the ICMAB Mobility Survey 2025, a bicycle repair demonstration workshop led by BICICLOT, dissemination of efficient driving techniques, and advice on making commuting more sustainable through the presentation of the document “Decalogue for Sustainable Business Travel at the ICMAB.”
  • Seminar by Laura Talents, “Toward a More Efficient Cycle of Materials,” and seminar by Mar Reguant, “Improving Blackout Policies with Smart Meters.”
  • Submission of the application to the first call for the “CSIC Sustainability Distinction” (awarded in 2026).