What do radioactivity, the double helix and the social behavior of chimpanzees have in common? Well, we would not know anything about them if it was not for the work of Marie Curie, Lise Meitner, Rosalind Franklin and Jane Goodall.
Without women’s contribution to science, we would have not been able to land on the moon, isolate stem cells, store solar energy or use chemotherapy to fight cancer. But even though, throughout history, women’s scientific achievements are tremendous, according to the Unesco still less than 30 % of world’s researchers are female.
Work-life-balance, the gender pay gap, family considerations and workplace culture are some aspects women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) still consider challenging today.
At CLR we want to promote women and their career journey by providing a work environment that allows all employees to identify their professional potential and develop their academic skills without sacrificing their personal and social lives.
For International Day of Women and Girls in Science we asked the women at CLR about their female perspectives on working in STEM in 2020.
“Developing a new product is always teamwork – never just the accomplishment of a single man or woman.”
“I don’t feel treated differently or underrated – because I believe in myself and my abilities.”
“Research requires flexibility – a quality, women are especially good at!”
“The best projects are realized by diverse teams – this way every member can benefit the most from the other’s creativity and expertise. There is nothing as important as a great team.”
“As a society we need to communicate the scientific accomplishments of women to show that we are just as smart, educated and skillful as our male colleagues.”
“It happened to me a few times, that when I told people I work in a lab, they assumed I was a receptionist.”
“My family and friends are proud of me!”
“Many young girls still want to be princesses. The toy and entertainment industries support this narrative. More parents need to let their daughters find their own interests and give them technical toys as well.”
“I wish women in science had more freedom and recognition.”