Workshop on Radar and Remote Sensing, Benevento, Italy, 2025

On May 28–29, 2025, the Workshop on Radar and Remote Sensing took place in Benevento, Italy. During this event, Francesca Razzano presented the mission and opportunities offered by the IEEE GRSS Inspire, Develop, Empower, and Advance (IDEA) program.

As a volunteer and active member of the Women Mentoring Women program, she introduced four key IDEA initiatives designed to support diversity, equity, and inclusion within the geoscience community:

• Women Mentoring Women: Connecting professionals for career guidance and support.
• Professional Development Microgrant: Funding for career advancement activities.
• Women in Africa: Specific support for female researchers in the region.
• Family Care Grant Program: Assistance for caregivers attending conferences.

The presentation successfully engaged young participants from across Italy, sparking interest in IDEA’s global mission. Additionally, IEEE GRSS IDEA sponsored the Sustainable Environment Award at the workshop. This award recognized early-career scientists whose research in remote sensing contributes to environmental stewardship, climate change mitigation, and sustainable resource management.