Dr. Berta Aznar Martínez, new executive director of the ICD at the Catalan Government’s Department of Equality and Feminism

Dr. Berta Aznar Martínez, a professor at the Blanquerna-URL School of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences since 2007, has been appointed as the new executive director of the Catalan Women’s Institute (ICD), effective September 2, 2026.

The new position recognizes a professional career closely linked to Blanquerna and characterized by teaching, research, and knowledge transfer in the fields of gender equality, the response to gender-based violence, and its prevention through coeducation and education on relationships and sexuality, with a special emphasis on public equality policies.

Aznar holds a PhD in Psychology from FPCEE Blanquerna-URL, where she also earned a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a diploma in Primary Education Teaching. Throughout her career, she has combined university teaching with research in psychology and education, academic management, and participation in various knowledge transfer activities. She also has clinical experience as a coordinator and psychotherapist in the Care Unit for Women Experiencing Gender-Based Violence (UNADOM) at the Vidal i Barraquer Medical-Psychological Center.

Leading the Catalan Women’s Institute – Blanquerna Chair

One of the most recent and prominent projects in her career has been directing the Catalan Women’s Institute – Blanquerna Chair for Tackling Gender-Based Violence and Equality Policies, launched jointly by the Catalan Women’s Institute and the Blanquerna Foundation through the School. Dr. Judith Lorente De Sanz, a professor and researcher at the same School of Ramon Llull University, will take over as director.

The Chair promotes the research, training, and knowledge transfer in the field of gender-based violence and gender equality, creating forums that bring together academia, government agencies, and specialized professionals. Notable activities carried out by the Chair include the annual conference on cyberviolence, the seminars on coeducation, sexual consent, support networks for women victims of harassment, and treatment programs for male perpetrators, as well as the publication of the first issue of the Gender-Based Violence and Equality Policies journal on digital sexual violence.

Dr. Aznar’s involvement in the creation of this initiative has helped strengthen the collaboration between Blanquerna and the Catalan Women’s Institute, connecting university research with public policies and transferring the knowledge generated in academia to society.