Choose to challenge: UK DRI women celebrate International Women’s Day

Today, March 8, marks the 110th International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is Choose to Challenge. Here at the UK DRI, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inspiring place for women to work and study. We acknowledge that much remains to be done to achieve true gender equality in science, and to ensure that all women, regardless of their background or protected characteristics, can lead, inspire and make the breakthroughs they are capable of. 

We asked four UK DRI women to share their thoughts on the issue of gender inequality in academia.

Magda Atilano – Postdoctoral Researcher, UK DRI at UCL

I-Chun Lin – UK DRI Scientific Officer

Elaheh Kalantari – PhD Student at UK DRI Care Research and Technology

Sarah Mizielinska – Group Leader, UK DRI at King's

Who is your top (female) role model in science?

Magda Atilano: They start at home with my mother, my school teachers, and female pioneers such as Rita Levi-Montalcini - a Nobel prize winner in Medicine (1986) who discovered nerve growth factor. She was a great woman who overcame several obstacles: discriminated against because of her gender and religion, and affected by war and Fascist race laws in Italy. A contemporary science role model is Dame Professor Linda Partridge, who is a pioneer in the field of ageing research. A few years ago, my dream came true and I joined her lab.

Elaheh Kalantari: Prof. Maryam Mirzakhani, who was awarded the Fields Medal in 2014 for "her outstanding contributions to the dynamics and geometry of Riemann surfaces and their moduli spaces". She was an Iranian professor of mathematics at Stanford University, a wife and a mother. 

Sarah Mizielinska: I struggle with having defined role models as everyone’s path is so unique, but several female academics have inspired me for their different qualities during my academic journey. Within the UK DRI, I think Prof Tara Spires-Jones is particularly inspiring as she is both brilliant and down-to-earth.

In your opinion, how are women changing the world of science?

Magda: Women are currently taking up leadership positions in greater numbers. There has been a shift in attitude with the realisation that women can be excellent researchers, whilst maintaining a thriving family life. This is enabling younger generations of women to make proactive decisions to pursue and maintain successful research careers, bringing a fresh perspective to unlocking the mysteries of nature. 

I-Chun Lin: Gender inequality in science harms innovation and public health. From (pre)clinical research to product design, researchers should include both male and female subjects whenever appropriate. Yet, many still neglect to consider gender as a variable. A study published in the Lancet argued that: ‘Gender disparities in the scientific workforce and scarcity of policies on sex-related reporting at the journal and institutional level could inhibit effective research translation from bench to clinical studies. Diversification in the scientific workforce and the research populations – from cell lines, rodents, to humans – is essential to produce the most rigorous and effective medical research.’

Elaheh: My role model, Prof Mirzakhani, once said "I don't have any particular recipe [for developing new proofs] ... It is like being lost in a jungle and trying to use all the knowledge that you can gather to come up with some new tricks, and with some luck, you might find a way out.". I believe that every person, whether a man or a woman, has unique perspectives and capabilities to apply their skills. 

Sarah: What I hope is taking place is that over time a more diverse range of female scientists are staying in scientific careers and are therefore taking part in decision-making processes for moving both science and scientific culture forward with gender-equally represented opinions. 

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to achieving gender equality in science?

Magda: The percentage of women occupying senior research roles does not reflect an observed increase in the number of women pursuing graduate studies. Many female researchers leave following postdoctoral positions. One contributing factor is research positions generally offer short-term contracts and thus lack job security. This coincides – due to many years of specialised training – with a period when women have to make significant life choices, for example, having children (if of course, they want them). Women should not have to choose between a career and a family.

I-Chun: Throughout history, women have played a crucial role in STEM. The contributions might be overlooked, or even forgotten, resulting in many perceiving female scientists as against the norm. Celebrating these contributions and increasing the visibility of (current) female researchers in different sectors or career stages will help promote STEM being gender-neutral and encourage a young woman to pursue a STEM career. 

Sarah: I think one of the main challenges in achieving gender equality in science is engaging men in challenging conversations about this subject. I see this changing as newer male academics tend to be more open to these conversations and also want gender equality entitlements themselves, such as significant periods of paternity leave. But I think we also need to make these conversations occur in environments that make men feel comfortable to express themselves without demonisation. 

What advice would you give to other women considering a career in dementia research?

Magda: Do not underestimate yourselves. Although progress has been made to reduce the gender gap in science – with increasing opportunities for women to enter the field of research – there will be obstacles and setbacks. To young women considering this career: take your scientific passion, have absolute faith in yourself, set your goals and give your utmost to achieve them. 

I-Chun:  Find a mentor who can help you navigate the path, and find a ‘sponsor’ who can promote you and help you get ahead. Know your worth, and then ask for it. Don’t underestimate your contribution or work. Finally, look around – there is more than one way to be part of the dementia research landscape.

Elaheh: Visualise your dream, attempt it, practise continuously, do it, do it again and again, and achieve it by becoming it.

Sarah: If you want it, go for it. Careers in science are challenging, but if you are passionate about dementia research, then be part of the community trying to make a difference to people with dementia and your voice can make a difference in future decision making in science and science culture.

Article published on 8 March 2021
Banner image: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com

Interviews and article by Annora Thoeng, UK DRI at King's