The event forms part of a larger project spearheaded by the Perspektywy Educational Foundation. Among its ambassadors are prof. Marta Gmurek, dr. hab. inż. Katarzyna Nawrotek, and mgr inż. Beata Rurarz, all hailing from TUL.
Among the goals of the initiative Empowering women in science are integration of the community of women in science and technology, strengthening the standing and boosting research careers of women, as well as increasing the number of female scientists leading research projects.
TUL's Rector, prof. Krzysztof Jóźwik assumed patronage of the event. Opening it, he acknowledged the need to offer support to women who try to balance their scientific careers with private life, particularly in a world which is undergoing such dynamic changes.
Many a challenge still exists: the incumbent dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, prof. Malgorzata I. Szynkowska- Jóźwik pointed out that she is only the second woman to have been elected to lead the Faculty, the first one being prof. Alicja Dorabialska, half a century ago.
The floor during the meeting was given to female researchers at different stages in their careers and representing different fields of science. Noteworthy is the fact that while STEM fields prevail at TUL, aspects of gender studies are also being pursued, as explained by dr hab. Edyta Pietrzak, TUL prof., Institute of Marketing and Sustainable Development.
An important aim of the event was to inspire. Prof. Marta Gmurek started her appearance by quoting the words of a co-participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP): 'I didn't land on the Moon but yet have myself among the stars.' The TUL researcher was one of several dozen women from around the world invited by the U.S. Department of State to the program Hidden No More: Empowering Women Leaders in STEM. Prof. Marta Gmurek is the youngest full professor at Lodz University of Technology and Substitute Chair of the Polish Young Academy of the Polish Academy of Sciences. She outlined the efforts she has been making to promote the careers of female researchers.
Dr. hab. inż. Katarzyna Nawrotek and mgr inż. Beata Rurarz, ambassadors of the initiative, invited women in the audience to come and join the club of women scientists that is being formed at our university. They emphasized the role that education and communication play in dismantling the stereotypes that are perpetuated about the exact sciences.
Next, dr hab. inż. Dorota Bociąga, TUL prof., expert in the field of biomedical engineering, shared her experiences. She talked about her professional journey, emphasizing the value of networking and participation in interdisciplinary research projects. She recalled one situation from when she was a university student: she excitedly came across an advert about an internship opportunity in Japan. Unfortunately, her gender made her ineligible to apply. Instead of getting discouraged, she became even more determined, which she also encouraged the audience to do.
Mgr inż. Weronika Głowadzka, who studies lasers, being part of the TUL Photonics Research Group, offered a doctoral candidate's perspective on the discussed issues. She identified her personal passion as a factor determining her professional choices and placed emphasis on the skills she has acquired during her stays abroad. She also drew attention to the growing awareness of mental health topics among the academic community.
Among the topics discussed at the event was the popularization of science, which can be an effective tool for supporting scientific careers and consciously building the image of female researchers.
Other topics discussed during the meeting included popularization of science as an effective tool both to promote research careers and to intentionally develop the image of female researchers.
For many years now, Lodz University of Technology has participated in the Dziewczyny na Politechniki (Girls choose polytechnics) action and has been engaged in many other initiatives to promote STEM fields. This has contributed to increased enrollment of female students.
The next meeting is scheduled for April.
