"INARI allows us to cover certain needs and improve people's living conditions"

20/11/2024

- When and how did you have the idea of entrepreneurship?

Diana Marre, director of the AFIN research group, proposed that some of the members of the group create a company, INARI. He had previously created a laboratory for the provision of services within the University, but it was insufficient to enter the labour market because other structures were needed. On the other hand, the company allowed us to cover certain needs and improve people's living conditions. This was the reason why I got involved in this group, not only do we research but there is a clear desire to transform society, transferring what has been discovered through research.

- What has been the biggest challenge during the entrepreneurial process?

It took us two or three years to create it, we had no references in the creation of companies in the social field, INARI is the first spin-off of social sciences of the UAB. Without a doubt, the great challenge was the fact of entrepreneurship, we had to advise ourselves on the fiscal, accounting, administrative and legal sides.

- Why did you choose the UAB for both the bachelor's degree and the master's degree and the doctorate?

I have always liked the UAB and the Department of Anthropology is also a very good department, with a mention of excellence. When I studied Anthropology at the UAB I decided to go back to do the master's degree because I had really enjoyed doing anthropology here, where they have provided me with all the knowledge I need to do research.

- Why was INARI born? What need or problem did you want to solve?

INARI has two lines of business, reproduction and sex education. For reproduction, we offer accompaniment and advice to both people and institutions, hospitals or clinics. We accompany infertility issues and emotional management in assisted reproduction processes that are long or very emotionally painful. We also provide training for medical teams so that they can accompany people who are in these difficult emotional moments. And thanks to anthropological accompaniment, their living conditions and well-being improve. On sexuality in childhood, we advise and accompany schools to incorporate sex education, which is still very necessary.

- What are you passionate about this sector?

I deal more with sexualities and childhood, a subject that is still taboo and although there are laws, no one knows how to apply it. Our research is pioneering with children, we have asked more than 4,800 boys and girls between 3 and 11 years old, what they know about sexuality and what they would like to know. The idea is that what they tell us helps us adults to rethink sex education. The accompaniment, advice and training that we provide in schools incorporates this anthropological perspective, based on the results of research.

- Who are the users of INARI? How has the user profile evolved since your inception?

It has been expanded. At the beginning, they were basically assisted reproduction clinics, but now we also have end users, schools and families who want to do this type of consultancy. Therefore, we have a very varied profile.

- Did INARI have a support network in its creation?

We have had mentoring sessions with professionals who work with the UAB Research Park, which supports the creation of companies.

- At INARI, social impact is fundamental. What are your priorities and indicators?

INARI is focused on social impact, it was created to cover needs that are closely aligned with the SDGs such as improving well-being and living conditions or achieving gender equality. Measuring this social impact is complicated, although continuing with a service is a symptom of what is being impacted because thanks to our services, patients in assisted reproduction clinics have become loyal to the clinic, making it increase profits in economic terms. But at the same time, and contradictorily, I understand that success can be ending a service, when certain training or advice is no longer needed.

- You have been a speaker at the round table "Social Impact Companies" at the Science and Entrepreneurship in Women conference of the UAB Innovation Week. Should we talk about female leadership?

Yes, of course. It is very important to make women visible. We are not only women, we also hold positions and many care responsibilities. It is really difficult to be an entrepreneur, to continue with your professional career in the field of academia and to combine it with having a family that you also take care of.

- Where would you like to be in the medium term? In 5 or 10 years?

Being a teacher and doing research at the university, I love research. And at the same time maintaining this entrepreneurial side that allows the transfer of research results, positively impacting society.

- What is the current state of the Anthropology sector? How do you see its evolution and what opportunities there are for future anthropologists?

Traditionally, it has been a degree that was not studied to work on this, except in the university field. Now it is changing, it is a good time for future anthropologists, there are many job offers that graduates in Anthropology are asking for, and anthropology offers tools to different disciplines that help them open their eyes.

- What would you say to someone who is considering entrepreneurship?

Don't think about it too much, bet hard and keep going. It's not easy, but if you have a good product or service that can really make an impact, jump into the pool.