"Women and Girls in Science" is back for its fourth edition on February 8, 2024 at the University of Namur, with an inspiring program!
Through this event, the university wishes to on promoting women's access to science and technology (STEM) and actively encourage their participation in scientific developments. The UNamur has been fighting against gender discrimination for many years. Within Rector Annick Castiaux's team, François-Xavier Fiévez is the Vice-Rector in charge of Diversity and Gender. The Rector's team intends to demonstrate its will to maintain voluntary and well-reasoned policies in this area.
"Women and Girls in Science" perfectly matches the objectives of the university in giving equal opportunities to everyone. Over the past four years, the event has grown. The considerable increase in the number of members on the Organizing Committee proves it. For this fourth edition, let's take a look at who they are, through a series of interviews.
François-Xavier Fiévez - Vice-Rector for Social and Student Affairs
- Your career at the University of Namur
I joined the University of Namur in 2021 as a teaching assistant at the School of Modern Languages, where I taught English. And in 2022, the Rector asked me to take up the position of Vice-Rector for Social Affairs, Students, Gender, Culture and Sports.
- Your role in the Organizing Committee
This year, we intend to develop a gender and diversity policy. So we are thinking about different things to raise awareness about gender-related issues among students and staff. This is why the Women and Girls in Science Committee asked me to join as Vice-Rector in charge of Diversity and Gender.
- "Women and Girls in Science", an added value in terms of diversity and gender ?
The aim is to increase the visibility of gender issues, which are not always well-known. The idea is to promote the place of women in science and tell them that the positions exist, that they are filled by women, and that it's interesting for us to highlight their research in different scientific fields every years.
- An inspiring message to share ?
I dream of a society in which gender becomes a non-issue, a society in which gender is no longer linked to a person's position or skills. People are simply capable of doing the job they have been chosen for, regardless of gender.
Manel Barkallah - Computer science - NaDI
- Your scientific field or researches in a few words
I work in the field of coordination languages in sociotechnical systems, i.e. systems that combine humans and software. I am focusing on the improvement of IT systems in the context of smart cities.
- Why join the Organizing Committee ?
As a woman with a passion for computing, joining the Women and Girls in Science organizing committee is an opportunity for me to actively contribute to the promotion of gender equality in science.
- An inspiring message to share ?
Your passion, your unique perspective, and your skills are shining stars that enrich our understanding of the world. Don't doubt your place in this field. Your contribution can not only change lives, but inspire other women to embrace their scientific potential. Dare to dream, dare to explore, because you have the power to make a difference. The scientific world is more complete with your presence.
Sandra Rubio Aguado - Physics - NISM
- Your scientific field or researches in a few words
I have a degree in Physics, and then I specialized in materials science and obtained my PhD in advanced materials and nanotechnology. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the LISE group at the University of Namur where I study how to improve dental implants to avoid peri-implantitis and subsequent implant loss.
- Why join the Organizing Committee ?
The reason I joined the organizing committee was that I want to encourage women to study STEM careers, especially in postgraduate studies where the percentage of women is lower. At the same time, I want to give visibility to women scientists.
- An inspiring message to share ?
Physics is a wonderful degree and materials science is an exciting field that covers different specialties such as biomedicine or photovoltaics. If that's what you want, go forward because science needs women. It is not an easy path, but without a doubt it is worth it.
Liselot Dewarchter - UCLouvain
- Your scientific field or researches in a few words
I am a microbiologist focusing on the basic cell biology of bacteria. More specifically, I study how Streptococcus pneumoniae - one of the most important human pathogens - regulates its cell cycle.
- Why join the Organizing Committee ?
I was very lucky to be invited into the Organizing Committee. Gender equality is an issue that is very dear to my heart. I feel like it is one of those issues that most people believe has been solved. Although the situation for women and girls in science (and society in general) has of course tremendously improved, there is still a long way to go to reach through equality.
- An inspiring message to share ?
I would like to say to them to not let something as arbitrary as gender stop them from pursuing what they are most passionate about. I therefore think that we should not just send messages to women. Rather, we should also address men and society in general to raise awareness, educate and improve so that, in the future, no woman should ever be hesitant again about entering a field simply because of her gender.
Anne-Catherine Heuskin - Physics - IRDENa & NARILIS
- Your scientific field or researches in a few words
I am a physicist by background, but my research expertise is radiobiology (use of ionizing radiation for medical applications and space-related research).
- Why join the Organizing Committee ?
I was asked to chair a session and the keynote speaker is a woman I admire a lot.
- An inspiring message to share ?
If physics is what you really like (and you are also good at maths), then don’t let anyone stop you.
Aishwarya Saxena - Biology - NARILIS
- Your scientific field or researches in a few words
I started off as a biotechnologist at the University of Westminster, London under the Ken Bird Memorial Scholarship, what now feels like ages ago. I went on to do my master’s in biotechnology from University of Edinburgh, it was there that I developed my key interest in bacteriology and mostly gene regulation. Currently my work under the giuidance of Dr Regis Hallez revolves around deciphering the role of the secondary messenger (p)ppGpp in the model bacteria Caulobacter crescentus.
- Why join the Organizing Committee ?
Covid had crippled most of the social activities at UNamur, as a first year PhD student I was enthusiastic about organizing a conference in English for international researchers, and what better than the celebration of Women in Science. It was my friend and fellow founder of the committee, Lorena who was passionate about the cause of Women in STEM and it was through her that I was made aware of the struggles many women might face while accessing certain scientific disciples. Thew vision of the fellow committee and the opportunity the conference presented in the research environment of UNamur motivated me.
- An inspiring message to share ?
To probably my younger self, who was not the brightest at school or others who might feel that their grades aren’t good enough to be a "scientist", I would say, do science if you enjoy it, and let your marksheet or societal expectation from you not be defining whether you can explore science.
Marie Dorchain - Maths - naXys
- Your scientific field or researches in a few words
I did my master in mathematics with a specialisation in data science, in the Department of Mathematics, Science Faculty of UNamur. At the same time, for my master thesis, I worked in network science. At the end of my master, I decided to pursue that project and start a PhD. This year is my first as a PhD student and teaching assistant.
- Why join the Organizing Committee ?
We all know that there are still some gender inequalities but I didn't really felt them during my studies. When I attended last year's edition of the Women and Girls in Science and discovered that others experience some difference because of their gender, that really opened my eyes. So when Lorena, one of the founders of the event, contacted me to ask if I would be interested in joining the committee, I didn't hesitate.
- An inspiring message to share ?
I would just say do it, don't let others stop you from what you really want to do and you'll see that, in the end, everyone is capable of doing what they really want and work for.
Gilles Perrouin - Computer science - NaDI
- Your scientific field or researches in a few words
My research is in the field of computer science and software engineering, in particular testing highly configurable and machine learning-enabled systems. This includes testing the functionality of these complex systems but also non-functional aspects such as performance or ethics, e.g., gender bias in machine learning systems.
- Why join the Organizing Committee ?
Gender issues are particularly acute in computer science where women are few. I had the chance to supervise one of them for my first supervision (Sophie Fortz). This made me more aware of such issues, and to of course welcome initiatives promoting women in Science.
- An inspiring message to share ?
Though I am not a woman and may not grasp the full extent of the questions a woman may have, I can give one recommendation. It is not to listen too much to the common clichés may have about computer science. First, it is not limited to male geeks. Second, it is not only about programming alone in the dark. There is a lot of diversity in the field of research. As in other fields, software engineering is a collective effort, and there are a lot of collaborations (supervisor, other PhD students in the lab, and international colleagues), so not alone in the dark, but together in the light.
Hala Kasmo – Biology - NARILIS
- Your scientific field or researches in a few words
I obtained my bachelor's degree in Biotechnology Engineering in Syria and came to Belgium in 2019 to start a Master's in Molecular Microbiology at UNamur. In 2021, I was awarded a FRIA doctoral grant and joined the team of Prof. Jean-Yves Matroule at the Research Unit in Biology of Microorganisms (URBM). My PhD thesis aims to investigate the bidirectional copper transport across the inner membrane of the free-living Caulobacter crescentus.
- Why join the Organizing Committee ?
I have attended the Women in Science Day in Namur several years before I joined the committee. I have always been interested in being involved in such an activity. This experience enriched my knowledge regarding different aspects professionally and personally. the committee of the WGIS has an optimal environment to motivate and encourage new members to know more about the organization and the ultimate aim of that day.
- An inspiring message to share ?
Science is a great place for any gender to grow, learn and evolve. It is significant nowadays how many women are being invested in science and how they are reaching very important positions and they have an extraordinary impact on the field. in this regard, I do encourage everyone to pursue their dreams no matter how difficult they are regardless of the society and the surroundings.
Charlotte Rossi - Physics - NISM & NARILIS
- Your scientific field or researches in a few words
I'm a physicist. I did all my university studies there, at the University of Namur. First I realised a bachelor degree in Physics and then a master degree in Life Science Physics. Currently, I am working as a teaching assistant at the Physics department and as a PhD Student under the supervision of Prof. Laurent Houssiau and Prof. Anne-Catherine Heuskin.
- Why join the Organizing Committee ?
I was introduced to the Women and Girls in Science conference by two collegues and founders of the organinzing committee : Lorena and Sebastien. I attended this conference last year and this opened my eyes on the difficulties that some women may face in the scientific field. I also think that this kind of event is a great opportunity for all the researchers to share their work in a free conference that is not focusing in only one scientific field.
- An inspiring message to share ?
I would say to not hesitate and follow your dreams and what your heart says. It's not your grades or what society thinks that defines you but your motivation and interest in Science. Everyone can do science, wether you are a man or a woman so do not hesitate and believe in you and in your passion.
The Organizing Committee thanks all its 2024 sponsors
