A panel discussion titled “Focus On: Understanding the Challenges Faced by Women in Science” was held on Monday, 6 October, at the Institute of Physics Belgrade, as part of the ERA Chair project Hidden Phases in 2D Quantum Materials and the activities of the Diversity and Gender Dimension Board, coordinated by the Centre for Solid State Physics and New Materials.
The event was organised by Dr Bojana Višić and Dr Jelena Pešić of the Centre. Welcoming the participants in the Tavan Hall, Dr Višić noted that the panel had been long in preparation and expressed her hope that the discussions initiated there would develop into concrete proposals and initiatives aimed at improving the position of women in science.
The panel featured the contributions of several researchers, including Dr Marija Mitrović Dankulov, Head of the Centre for the Study of Complex Systems and the Institute’s Innovation Centre and Chair of the Institute’s Scientific Council; Slađana Savić Jovanović, an Assistant at the Department of Applied Chemistry and the Commissioner for Equality at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade; Dr Jovan Despotović from the Group for Genetic Regulation in Tumors at the Institute of Molecular Genetic and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade and Dr Tijana Milićević and Mira Aničić Urošević of the Environmental Physics Laboratory at the Institute of Physics Belgrade. The panel was moderated by Marija Đurić, a science journalist from the Institute’s Department of Communication.
The audience participated throughout the discussion, contributing to its liveliness with personal experiences and insights and helping to shed light on some of the challenges women face in science.
This meeting aimed to raise key issues and identify fundamental problems, which can later be presented to the public and to decision-makers. Some of the topics initiated at the panel were the so-called ‘glass ceiling’ in women’s advancement toward higher academic and leading positions, their representation in decision making, career interruptions due to parenthood and the return to work, the status on projects in case of pregnancy and maternity leave, stereotypes, sexism, the media presence and the portrayal of female scientists as well as the impostor syndrome.
Photos by Bojan Džodan