Antígona research group awarded a M. Encarna Sanahuja Yll mention by the Government of Catalonia

The Government of Catalonia has awarded two M. Encarna Sanahuja Yll mentions this year: one individually to Pilar Rivas Vallejo, a professor at the University of Barcelona’s Faculty of Law, and another collectively to the UAB’s Antígona research group, for their excellence in incorporating the gender perspective into teaching practice.

The UAB research group Antígona, Drets i Societat en Perspectiva de Gènere has received the award "for its contribution to the transformation of law and society from a feminist perspective committed to equality". The group combines high-impact scientific research, teaching innovation, and knowledge transfer to society, directly influencing the improvement of public policies and the defense of women's rights. Its ongoing contribution to integrating the gender perspective into both academic and social spheres has also been recognised.

The research group Antígona was established in 2000, founded by Professor Encarna Bodelón within the Department of Political Science and Public Law at the UAB. It was recognised in 2005 as an emerging research group (GRE) by the Agency for the Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR) of the Government of Catalonia, and in 2009 and 2014 as a consolidated research group (GRC).

Its objective is to analyse the development of women's rights from a gender perspective. Its lines of research include sexual harassment and harassment based on sex; the implementation of equality legislation; bioethics and sexual and reproductive rights; joint custody; law and gender; women and violence (socio-legal aspects); women and access to justice; female genital mutilation and forced marriage; gender equality policies; prostitution and sex work; the criminal justice system and gender; and equality plans in companies and public administrations.

The M. Encarna Sanahuja Yll Mentions recognise excellence in the incorporation of gender perspective into university teaching practice and contribute to making visible experiences and projects that advance towards more inclusive and equal teaching. The awardees, both individuals and projects, were selected from proposals submitted by the social councils of public universities and by the equivalent bodies of private universities in Catalonia.

Each award comes with a prize of €20,000, which must be allocated to innovation or teaching improvement projects that incorporate a gender perspective.

The awards ceremony will take place on 2 October, as part of the official inauguration of the 2026/27 academic year for the Catalan university system, which will be held at the UAB.