XFEL: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
European XFEL Managing Director Nicole Elleuche and Scientific Director Sakura Pascarelli at DynaMENT 2020, held on February 2020. Copyright European XFEL.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the role women play in science and technology communities and reflect on how their participation can be strengthened. European XFEL is committed to inclusiveness and diversity and continues to take steps to ensure that everyone feels supported and empowered to be part of the STEM landscape.
To this end, European XFEL has been a partner in the dynaMENT programme, a mentoring programme for women in Natural Sciences. The programme recognises the importance of visibility and networking along with robust scientific temper to have a successful career in the STEM fields. European XFEL Managing Director Nicole Elleuche and Scientific Director Sakura Pascarelli have been actively engaged in the dynaMENT programme, providing valuable mentorship to young and junior women researchers. In all likelihood, the dynaMENT doctorate programme for doctoral researchers and dynaMENT advanced for post-doctoral researchers well as junior professors and (junior) research group leaders will be open for 2021.
In addition, European XFEL will launch virtual panel discussions on International Women’s Day aimed at bringing together women researchers and leaders in the STEM fields to discuss current issues such as the need for a women's quota in leadership positions and to network in these particularly challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its initiatives such as the on-site tours on Girls’ and Boys’ Days, European XFEL has been continually ensuring that young people, especially girls, move away from gender stereotypes and view careers in science and technology as exciting and rewarding choices.
As an EIROforum member, European XFEL also complements the actions of its EIROforum partners CERN, ILL, EMBL, ESO, ESRF and EUROfusion in taking active steps to make STEM more inclusive, diverse and welcoming.
