International Women’s Day: Female scientists share their thoughts on gender balance in modern research
One thing that stands out about the ByAxon project is that five out of six of the Principal Investigators are women, including the scientific coordinator of the project, even though the overall gender balance is similar to other EU projects. Here, four of them share their thoughts on gender balance in science for all researchers, male and female, young and aspiring. The theme of 2019’s International Women’s Day is #BalanceforBetter. How does gender diversity help you academic FET projects? Laura Ballerini: Gender balance, particularly in a technology-based project, is still to be reached, despite the common knowledge of great and wonderful female scientists. I agree with any strategy which forces selection of good women scientist leading innovative project, against what is even today a difficult prejudice that strongly affects female careers in academia shown in this recent report for Italy. In this framework, ByAxon is a wonderful exception. Laurence Mechin: Being part of a well-recognised FET project helps me to fight against lack of confidence. As an electrician and a physicist, it is not so common to work with women, and even less, with a group of women. Teresa González: No doubt academia is still a men’s world, especially in disciplines like physics. Men and women contribute with different strengths which are essential to open new research subjects and perspectives in science. As a general trend, women tend to be more collaborative and focus less on individual competitiveness. Mª Concepción Serrano: Research in general, and FET projects in particular, surely benefit from male and female scientists working together and bringing their particular perspectives toward a common goal – to make society and our lives better. What would you say to children, students or researchers interested in future tech research, but were worried by the present lack of gender balance? Mª Concepción Serrano: Follow your passion. The lack of gender balance should not be a reason to give up on your goals. For great inspiration, enjoy reading the inspiring lives of scientists such as Maria Skłodowska (Marie Curie). Teresa González: What it is important is to focus on studying and working in those things that interest, excite and motivate you. Any direction in life has difficulties, but when you are motivated you are prepared to fight and overcome any difficulty. Laurence Mechin: Don’t think too much, simply go ahead! Are gender balance issues things improving for women in science in general? Laurence Mechin: I believe that the situation is not the worst in science compared to the situation in the society in general, because I believe (or I hope) that merits in science can be evaluated by measurable results. However, management positions remain not occupied by female. Mª Concepción Serrano: Yes, things are largely improving for women in science nowadays. Unfortunately, at a faster speed than for women in society in general. Nonetheless, many aspects still need to be polished (such as favouring the attainment of top positions in our institutions by women) and major changes are required in completely achieve gender balance. For that, men are also an essential piece of the game. Laura Ballerini: Unfortunately, they are not improving as one would have expected, or wished, and again recent reports testify this. Even when getting top awards, women get less money and prestige. Read more: http://www.fetfx.eu/story/international-womens-day-female-scientists-share-thoughts-gender-balance-modern-research/
Keywords
women, science, research, equality
Countries
Germany, Spain, France, Italy, United Kingdom, United States