Women in Science

We would like to have more female students and researchers at the Faculty of Engineering at SDU. In this context, the fantastic researchers already have a significant role in acting as role models for future students and women who are dreaming of a research career. 

A star parade of female scientists from TEK lined up and presented their research in connection with Forskningens Døgn. A fantastic session, which was honoured with applause from the audience, who had turned up in large numbers. You can watch a video from the lecture at the bottom of this article. 

But why is it necessary at all to arrange a TEK Women in Science session? 

- Diversity in science is essential. I hope that in 20 years, it would not be necessary to have a TEK Women in Science session - it would be more normal than as exotic as it is now to be on display, associate professor Lykke Margot Ricard says. 

Lykke Margot Ricard says that statistically, we have a leaky talent pipeline in tech science and engineering when it comes to women. It starts at almost 50-50 % at PhD level, but when it comes to permanent and senior science positions like associate professorships, women are represented by 20 % compared to men with 80 %, and at full professor level we are close to zero. 

- If there are no female role models, it makes it hard to convince the next generation of women that they should dedicate their talent to science, education, etc. One could say that just doing what we normally do doesn't work. Nobody wants to be selected simply because of being a minority. We want people and management to see our talent. The TEK Women in Science is a great initiative to take the stage and show our talents. It was also a great experience to meet up and have a feeling of supporting my female sisters in TEK Women in Science.

Lykke Margot Ricard is backed by associate professor Vida Engmann, who, together with associate professor Roana de Oliveira Hansen, initiated and organised the event. 

- I do not think there are enough women in science, especially in physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering etc. Therefore, I believe it is essential to provide broad and good quality education and have role models to lead the way as good examples. There are many next Marie Curies, Lise Meitners and Hedy Lamarrs out there, and they are persons this world cannot afford to lose. Only then will we be attracting the best and brightest minds of both genders to solve the world's most important scientific problems. 

The future needs girls

At TEK, we do a lot to attract more engineering students with even CPR numbers. As an example, the event Go Get IT Girls was held last week. Here, a team of girls interested in IT and STEM were invited to pizza, cold drinks and lots of code in games. On the day, the two software students, Dilara Eda Celepli and Sarah Manon Pradel, taught the girls who attended the event.

Read more about Sarah here

It was the first of four events aimed at girls interested in code, servers, hacking and artificial intelligence. 

One of the participants was 24-year-old Michelle Zielinska Munch, who has already signed up for three of the four events. 

- I have been interested in IT and have loved computers since I went to 8th grade. Today I am studying to be a computer technician at Syddansk Erhvervsskole, so I am already in the process, but I would like to meet some more women interested in IT and thus create a more extensive network with like-minded girls, says the 24-year-old student at SDE. 

You can read more about the campaign and the following three events: https://www.sdu.dk/da/uddannelse/moedsdu/girlssoftware 

Video from Women in Science 

Prof. Sanja Lazarova Molnar: Simulating the World
Professor at Mærsk McKinney Møller Institute, SDU, working with modeling, simulation and data analytics.

PhD student Sofie Bach Hybel: Re-design for machine’s disassembly
PhD student at the Department of Technology and Innovation, working with innovation and design for circular economy.

Assoc. prof. Roana de Oliveira Hansen: Senses and sensors
Associate professor at the Mads Clausen Institute, working with sensing platforms at micro and nanoscale.

Assoc. prof. Lykke Margot Ricard: Design as a Catalyst for the Circular Economy
Associate professor at the Department of Technology and Innovation, working with sustainable innovation and circular economies.

MSc student Raisa Sadat Sharmin: Gas sensors
MSc student in Electronics working at Mads Clausen Institute with gas sensors made from smart materials.

Assoc. prof. Vida Engmann: Powering the surfaces with artificial chloroplasts
Associate professor at the Mads Clausen Institute, working with bioinspired materials for green energy technologies.