Role Models

Stories that pave the way for gender equality actions and inspire more women, especially young girls, to engage with STEM research and innovation

CALIPER role model interview series invite women from academia and the industry to give an insight into their journey and talk about how they overcame various gender issues. 

The interviews, produced in a form of 1-on-1 sessions, discuss on the role models’ achievements in areas such as career progression, decision-making process, integrating gender in research content, and/or introducing changes in gender equality in STEM institutions.

Assoc. Professor Ing. Ivona Černičková

Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, Slovak University of Technology

“I would like to introduce science to people in such a way that it reveals the secrets that are part of our lives and the secrets of nature. If a girl likes STEM sciences, she should not be discouraged and guided by prejudices, but follow her feelings!”

ULB Spotlight: Women in STEM

Université Libre de Bruxelles

“Science is not male or female, it is a choice, and it is your choice. It is an infinite universe where we all can always learn more.”

Prof. Dr. Özgen Özer

Ege University

Many young people can go great miles when they are given the opportunity and path. I advise them to never lose their motivation!

Dr Adriana Albini

University of Milano-Bicocca

“I want young women to not stop fighting.”

Professor Ángela Nieto

Institute of Neurosciences in Alicante, Spain

“I tell young girls that if they like science, please do it, because we need them.”

Lecturer Dr Virginia Petre

Polytechnica Univeristy of Bucharest, Romania

“I want young girls to know that it is perfectly normal to work in science and research.”

Assistant Professor Asimina Kiourti

Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ohio State University, USA

“It’s important to know that no woman is alone. All of us have been there in one way or another.”

Professor la Pipia

Agricultural University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia

“Curiosity has always pushed me towards the process of acquiring knowledge.”

Professor Ivana Podnar Žarko

Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, Croatia

“I always enjoy working on projects that are practical in nature.”

Professor Moniek Tromp

Chair of Materials Chemistry, Groningen University, The Netherlands | Vice-Chair of the Young Academy of Europe

“If I have to say what I’m proud of… I’m really proud of my students.”