openZDM is proud to be supporting women in STEM
As we celebrate International Women’s Day in 2024, it is important to shine a spotlight on the remarkable strides women have made in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Despite historical challenges and stereotypes, women have emerged as trailblazers, breaking barriers, and reshaping the landscape of STEM.
openZDM is a flagship example of a gender equality and gender balance team which effectively works together in tackling major manufacturing challenges – every day! Let’s put it this way – we are beyond proud to be supporting women in STEM!
Today, we are delighted to engage in a conversation with some of the exceptional teammates from openZDM, gaining valuable insights into their experiences, achievements, and perspectives.
What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM, and how did you overcome any challenges or stereotypes along the way?
Filipa Lourenço: As a very curious person, I’ve always wanted to have an impact on the world and the people around me by coming up with innovative solutions and problem-solving. Throughout my career as both a scientist and a project manager, I’ve been fortunate to encounter several inspiring female role models who have played pivotal roles in shaping my success and unlocking numerous opportunities along the way. And despite gender bias, I hope to keep breaking barriers for all women.
Natalia Cardona Mercado: Even though my background is in social sciences, my career took an unexpected yet rewarding turn towards STEM where I have found great fulfillment.
Through the unique opportunity to collaborate within openZDM consortium, my perspective broadened significantly. Surrounded by talented and inspiring women, I discovered a new passion and drive to explore this field further. Along the way, I have encountered and overcome various challenges and stereotypes, realizing the immense value of diversity and inclusivity in shaping innovative solutions.
This journey has made me aware of the increasing relevance of bridging the gap between STEM and social sciences, and I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex societal issues and contributing to a more fair and better future.
In your experience, what role do mentorship and support networks play in the professional development of women in STEM?
Milena Martarelli: Mentorship and support networks are fundamental for the development of the career plan of young researchers whatever the gender because they give them the possibility to work in different context, for instance academic and industrial, and to be in contact with different competences and experiences.
From a gender point of view, women can count to the fact that the European policy in the last decades promoted the gender-equality in engineering by creating working environments where women can thrive and better integrate.
How do you believe diversity, particularly gender diversity, contributes to innovation and problem-solving in STEM disciplines?
Cristina Cristalli: I really believe that gender diversity is necessary to handle and develop innovative projects, in particular in the manufacturing sector which deeply involves STEM disciplines. For many decades, the manufacturing environment, where mainly the openZDM project is focused, lacked this diversity contribution, but nowadays the increased presence of women in industries managerial position is bringing a new momentum. Firstly, it is important to approach the problem from different points of view, and this is possible only if gender diversity is present in the team. Moreover, the problem-solving approach is a peculiarity of the women as well as the multi-tasking and open mind-set. These qualities bring added value to the team working in innovative problems in the manufacturing environment and are the key to successful results.
Valentina Pasquinelli: STEM disciplines deal with complex problems that require lot of different capabilities to be solved. Therefore, diversity is the key to approach a problem from different points of view exploiting all the skills people involved in the project have, from technical to creativity skills. Gender diversity strengthens this concept allowing all to give their different contributions which are fundamental to proceed in research activities. In team-working gender differences are crucial as they allow the group to approach problems in different ways, therefore being more efficient and effective as a whole.
How does participation in initiatives such as openZDM contribute to the role of women in STEM?
Vittoria Medici: European projects facilitate collaboration among various institutions, companies, and people from different countries. Within these collaborative frameworks, women find ample networking possibilities that not only promote professional connections but also create opportunities for personal growth. Through participation in workshops and conferences facilitated by these projects, women in STEM gain visibility and recognition on a broader scale. These projects serve as catalysts for showcasing their expertise and contributions, ultimately bolstering their presence and influence within the STEM community.
Anja Stipankov: It contributes a lot! Initiatives like openZDM are a great opportunity for women in STEM working all around Europe to collaborate and exchange knowledge and experiences. These initiatives allow dynamic space where ideas flourish, and collective achievements are not just celebrated but also actively discussed. It is what makes us more connected and united. I strongly believe initiatives such as openZDM are an imperative for a fruitful collaboration between women in STEM. In a way, they are a necessity.
As a woman in STEM, how do you envision the future of gender equality in these fields, and what steps do you believe are essential to achieve it?
Mildred Puerto: I envision a future where gender equality is so deeply ingrained that it becomes a natural part of our societal fabric, for example, we don’t talk about having safe cars, it is assumed! But to achieve that future we need to work in balancing the processes and scenarios beyond technical training, scenarios regarding life-balancing were women have a greater load. It is true we are advancing as a society, but life responsibilities are common for both men and women, regrettably, it is perceived as solely a women’s concern. Additionally, I believe initiatives mentioned here such as mentoring and supporting networks should serve to promote ambition in the professional development of younger generations of women, unfortunately, they must strive harder than we do to achieve the future that I imagine.
Kudos to women in STEM, and beyond
Hats off to the brilliant minds in STEM! We applaud the indomitable spirit of women who have the vital role in fostering innovation, diversity, and progress. As we celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day with the theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ this article is meant to emphasize and acknowledge the remarkable achievements of women globally, transcending geographical boundaries and spanning beyond the realms of STEM disciplines.
