Celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

According to Eurostat figures released in 2023, nearly 80 million of Europeans are working in science and technology. It’s a substantial increase of 25% compared to the previous decade. The market has increased in size, with women holding 52% of the jobs, mostly in the service sector.

However, when one examines more closely the gender distribution in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), the picture is more mixed. Women are less represented among the population of employed scientists and engineers in Europe, scoring 41.3%, while they make less than 25% of self-employed professionals in Science and Engineering (S&E) and Information & Communication Technologies (ICT). Is the glass half-empty of half-full?

Compared to 12 years ago, the absolute number of women working as scientists grew by almost 50%. Is there more that needs to be done? Definitely. And this is why we are lending our voice to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

We interviewed five of our colleagues, working in different parts of the organisation, to highlight the diversity of skills required in science and its inclusive nature. We wanted to hear what science means to them, how they contribute to the ecosystem and what is their main message to young women.

In parallel, F4E collaborated with Eiroforum, by contributing to a video that encourages young girls to pursue a career in STEM. Women scientists from various European institutes and laboratories demonstrate support and solidarity. It’s a message of reassurance to every young girl out there that there is room for all in science.

Last, but not least, on this special occasion, F4E celebrates the news that the recipient of last year’s F4E DONES Xcitech School scholarship, has now successfully joined the fusion family. If you are interested to apply to this year’s scholarship click here.

Raising awareness is a first step in breaking down stereotypes by making science truly inclusive. It’s an environment that offers you the possibility to be original, authentic and creative. Could you be the next woman shaping the future of science?

For F4E traineeships click here.