For many years now, the contributions of notable women in science have been widely discussed, from academic conferences to history lessons in primary schools, yet the representation of women in the field remains uneven, and unfortunately, far from reflecting an equal balance. Progress has, of course, been made, with women now making up 48% of all PhD graduates at the EU level. However, their low prevalence in male-dominated and higher-paying fields, and the decreasing numbers seen when climbing the career ladder highlight the disparities that persist and the work that remains in closing the gap.
This year, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of International Day of Women & Girls in Science, FEBS Press put together a special collection of content published in FEBS Press journals that showcase remarkable women scientists and their unique experiences in achieving success.
As part of this collection, FEBS Open Bio is proud to present two specially commissioned pieces that highlight the resilience of women in science and emphasise the barriers that have long plagued their involvement.
The first piece is entitled “An open chat between Prof. Asifa Akhtar and Klaudia Jaczynska” and offers exactly that – a candid discussion between an established leading scientist and an ambitious early-career researcher. Asifa and Klaudia discuss the shared challenges that exist between generations and the importance of fostering environments that support women’s personal and professional growth, whilst calling out for the much-needed systemic change.
The second piece, entitled “Young, female and scientist: exploring barriers, challenges and opportunities”, takes a closer look at early-career scientists by sharing the experiences of female FEBS Open Bio poster prize winners. From reflecting on the fears of being dismissed, to the lack of relatable role models, to how winning a poster prize has boosted their visibility, this piece offers insight into the emotional and toll of being a young woman in science and highlights the importance of resilience and perseverance in navigating the pre- and post-doctoral stages.
We invite all to read both pieces and join us in celebrating their achievements.
Top image by Drazen Zigic from Getty Images (sourced from Canva)
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