We show our true colours
International World Women’s Day at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung
The 8th of march is known as International World Women’s Day. Some female colleagues at our institute have told us what they love about their job and what should be done to make it more likeable for women to pursue a career in science.
Eva Maria Wara Alvarez Pari
“I love my job because it is not a job. It is the most enjoyable way to feed my innate curiosity with the freedom to explore beyond my limits.
I consider women scientists should be taken seriously. Women scientists should not be underestimated. It is time to break down stereotypes. Girls do not just want to have fun, girls also want to have fun at lab in their research.”
Verena Schultz-Coulon
“I am fascinated by new experiences on a daily basis. We have to find new solutions, new pathways every day. Routine is contraproductive for me.
We need a change in our working culture. What does it mean to be a good scientist, male or female? Is it just the number of publications and the amount of funding we get? I don’t think so. It should be natural that working people can divide their time between work and familiy life individually.”
Antonia Boix
“In science, you learn new things on a daily basis. You have to find new answers to the upcoming questions, as these questions have never been asked before. You have to be creative and there is no chance for standstill.
To raise the ratio of women you can always support events like “Girls’ Day” and make science lessons at schools more inspiring. Furthermore, I think it is important to have more female role models.”
Marian Guillen
“I love the deeper understanding of things, especially if they can be applied to helping others. I guess all of us like to feel useful and that we are contributing something positive to society!
I think having female references is essential. We must promote the visualization of women doing science in schools, media, and in research institutions in order to break the glass ceiling. In our institute, the number of female group leaders is only 12%, and the board of directors is made up entirely of men. The lack of role models implies that younger women are not reflected in these positions, so we do not feel them like ours. Even though the progression in these last years is noticeable, it is sometimes hard to detect the weak points of our sexist system. Herein I find essential to get feminist courses in the work environment, in order to become more conscious and improve in the same direction.”
Silvia Palm
“I decided to go into science because I am interested in learning new things. I have been working with the Analytic departments of our institute for a long time and I am still curious. I think it is fascinating to see new compounds. And, like Louis Pasteur, I am positive that good science can make the world a better place: “I am utterly convinced that Science and Peace will triumph over Ignorance and War, that nations will eventually unite not to destroy but to edify.”
Honestly: I cannot understand why there are not more girls heading for a job in science. Maybe we do need more inspiring lessons in physics, biology and chemistry. Of course, uninspiring teachers affect both girls and boys. Moreover, a more family friendly environment in science and more female role models could increase the ratio of women – just like in all the other jobs.”
Roberta Properzi
“I love how my job expands my vision and broadens my mind; I love how it encourages me to open the door of opportunity and how it pushes me to seek meaning in my work and its impact on others. Also, I love how we celebrate with pizza and champagne when it all pays off ;-)
Although there is much good news about women in science, seeking out female coworkers is not enough. First and foremost, I find it essential to acknowledge and abandon implicit bias, at all levels and for all genders. In addition, actively recruiting a higher number of women (and other gender minority groups) to executive positions would level the playing field and would still allow the hiring of the most qualified individuals with no special treatment based on one’s gender because women, just like men, are equipped with persistence, competence, competitiveness and drive.”
Claudia Weidenthaler
“For me, science means creativity, curiosity, excitement, and most importantly, freedom.
I hope that one day the same objective criteria will be used to evaluate the work of scientists, regardless of gender, nationality, or colour.”
Xiaoran Liu
“I love my work because indeterminacy of science fulfills my curiosity about universe.
To build a more likable environment for everyone, not just for women: Talk about gender equality/sexism openly to make people aware of inequality existing around them, aware of prejudices and stereotypes in their minds. Take solid actions to hire more female PhD students, apprentices, senior scientists and directors.”
Laila Sahraoui
“Science means to learn something new every day. We are observing things that nobody has observed before. Science is not always a strait road. It is a winded pathway with many junctions, even dead-ends. In this case, you are the one to put a sign so that nobody else will trap into that dead-end!
In my opinion, it does not really matter if you are a woman or a man when you go into science. Do not be too shy, not all scientists are men. Our “Girls’ Day” and internships are very popular among young girls so there has to be an intrinsic interest. Be sure: Science is something you can do until the end of your life without ever getting bored!”
Constanze Neumann
“I love my job because it allows me to explore the research questions I am passionate about together with colleagues from a wide variety of different backgrounds.
I believe it is important to create more tenure track positions for early career scientists because clear long-term career perspectives are crucial to retain women and underrepresented minorities in academia.”