Earlier, on February 11, the calendar stated clearly: It is International Day of Women and Girls in Science! What does it mean and why should we celebrate that? More specifically, what makes inclusion, equity and diversity indispensable for the advancement of science? 

As early-career researchers, that are participating at FEBS Junior Section Initiative we have brainstormed and come up with the following points that advocate for inclusion, equity and diversity in science:

1. Representation Matters – Diverse perspectives lead to more innovative solutions and a broader understanding of complex issues.

2. Expanding Talent Pool – Embracing diversity allows us to tap into a larger talent pool and create more opportunities for advancement.

3. Enhancing Scientific Rigor – Diverse teams foster greater scientific rigor by challenging assumptions and promoting a thorough examination of evidence.

4. Fostering Innovation – Diversity fosters innovation and creativity in science by bringing together individuals with different perspectives and approaches.

5. Creating Role Models – Highlighting the achievements of scientists from underrepresented groups inspires future generations and promotes diversity in STEM.

This is of course not a simple task, therefore we are committed to fostering communication and an open culture in the research environment all year long, not just in February.

Check out our original thread on the X platform and join the discussion! https://twitter.com/FEBS_JS/status/1756592080292380873

Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash