February 11 marks a significant day dedicated to celebrating and advocating for the involvement of girls and women in science. This day serves as a reminder to inspire young women to follow their scientific interests and creativity while reflecting on how support for their ambitions can be strengthened. Established by UNESCO and the United Nations, this occasion highlights the essential contributions of women in science and acknowledges their accomplishments.
Moreover, it brings attention to the necessary structural changes still needed in the scientific community globally. While progress has been made, women are still underrepresented in senior academic and decision-making roles. For instance, although women make up 48% of doctoral graduates in the EU, they constitute only about one-third of researchers across Europe (She Figures 2024). Additionally, women in research often experience shorter, lower-paying careers and face ongoing systemic hurdles in their pursuit of scientific professions.
As the United Nations put it:
“Closing the gender gap in science requires breaking stereotypes, promoting role models to inspire girls, supporting women's advancement through targeted programmes, and fostering inclusive environments through policies and actions that promote inclusion, diversity, and equity."
With the atom*innen community, this is precisely the area in which we aim to make a difference. Over the past year, we have published an in-depth interview every 11th of the month, highlighting inspiring women in quantum physics, including their research, career paths and perspectives. Through these conversations, we want to demonstrate that it is possible to change the narrative, and that science requires ALL talents in order to thrive.Special thanks to our inspiring interview partners (pictured below) who generously shared their stories, insights and experiences with our community.
From left to right:
- Dr. Ticijana Ban
- Prof. Christine Silberhorn (picture: University Paderborn, Besim Mazhiqi)
- Prof. Tanja Mehlstäubler (picture: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt)
- Prof. Monika Aidelsburger (picture: private)
- Prof. Francesca Ferlaino (picture: Roland Ferrigato) - founder of atom*innen
- Prof. Síle Nic Chormaic (picture: SPIE)
- Prof. Ana Maria Ray
- Prof. Anna Sanpera (picture: private)
- Prof. Hélène Perrin (picture: Olivier Ezratt)
- Prof. Christiane Koch (picture: David Ausserhofer)
- Prof. Jelena Vuckovic (picture: Linda Ciccero)
All interviews are available here. Feel free to share :-)
