Gender and the Brain

On 5 March 2024, the University of Luxembourg hosted the online conference “Gender and the Brain”, an event dedicated to exploring how gender intersects with brain development, mental health, and lived experience. Bringing together leading researchers, policymakers and advocates, the event formed part of the university’s broader commitment to advancing knowledge on gender and equality through interdisciplinary dialogue.

Across presentations and discussions, speakers challenged long‑standing myths about the “male” and “female” brain. They highlighted scientific evidence showing that while biological factors play a role, social context, cultural expectations, and lived experiences profoundly influence brain development and wellbeing. The event also underscored how gender biases in research have historically shaped what is studied in neuroscience—and what is not.

A strong thread throughout the conference was the unequal mental and emotional burden carried by women, particularly in times of crisis. Research presented during the event showed consistently higher levels of stress, anxiety, and loneliness among women, often linked to greater caregiving responsibilities, economic vulnerability, and reduced access to support systems. These patterns, experts noted, reflect deeper structural inequalities rather than biological differences.

Speakers also emphasised the importance of raising awareness, integrating the voices of those directly affected, and ensuring public policies respond to the specific needs of different genders. By blending scientific insights with reflections on social justice, the event highlighted how understanding the brain can help build more equitable societies.

The Gender and the Brain conference concluded with a call for continued research, better inclusion of diverse populations, and stronger connections between science, policy, and everyday experience. It marked another meaningful step in the University of Luxembourg’s ongoing effort to foster informed dialogue around gender, diversity, and inclusion.

About Gender Days

Since 2022, Gender Days has been an annual event series organized by the University of Luxembourg to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on contemporary issues at the intersection of gender, society, and technology. Each edition brings together leading experts and thought leaders to examine how gender shapes—and is shaped by—our evolving world.

GenderDays series is organised by a multidisciplinary committee of the University of Luxembourg and sponsored by the Gender Equality Office.