In 2014, Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian mathematician, became the first woman to receive the Fields Medal. She was followed by Maryna Viazovska, a mathematician from Ukraine, in 2022. To date, only two women have been awarded the Fields Medal out of 64.
In all fields,
women are at the forefront of initiatives that drive change from within. Almost all the women I spoke to have, at some point, established their own committees, organizations, or efforts to promote women’s participation. They devote significant time to promoting gender equality, voluntarily in their institutions and beyond.
One interviewee
gave a good example: “I remember at the time, in 2010, many of us thought that Laure Saint-Raymond, a French mathematician, would be the first woman to win the Fields Medal. But he didn’t. Cédric Villani, another French mathematician, won it. Yes, he deserved it—I’m not saying anything else—but we were disappointed. We thought, ‘Well, okay, maybe next time it will happen. We fought in all the committees, especially the European ones, trying to convince the people of the International Mathematics Union (IMU) that it is time to take seriously the role of women in mathematics. There are many—many, not just a few—extremely brilliant women mathematicians who deserved this award.”
A recurring concern among the women interviewed was the “disappointment and shame” they see in many of their female peers, who tend to “keep their heads down”. Although imposter syndrome and self-doubt are common problems, they note that these challenges are more common among women who are less advertising database involved in speaking. This comparison highlights the need for strong support systems and visible and diverse models to empower all women in science.
Overcoming obstacles:
strategies for success
Through their stories, the how to make your website more mobile friendly exploratory study revealed the
different strategies women used to navigate and overcome the systemic barriers and biases they faced.
Many have sought international experience-using
international locations and knowledge as a neutral
pace away from the potential of a conservative
environment-to collaborate, build expertise, and access opportunities.
One scientist from Latin loan data America explained how
A scholarship to Denmark changed his career
“I received a call telling me that I had received a scholarship, and there were only
two weeks left to prepare to leave. Everything happened very quickly.
But that opportunity opened up new connections and projects
that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. It was an amazing experience.”
For many, the international stage provided a way to transcend
the boundaries of conservative or male-dominated areas.
By interacting with scientists from around the world, these
women not only gained new skills but also found friends in the global scientific community.
However, travel remains a challenge—especially
for those from developing countries where visa
restrictions and political instability can make i
nternational cooperation nearly impossible. These external barriers greatly limit the career opportunities of scientists in the Global South.
Shaping the future of science
As more women seek equality in science, their representation goes beyond the cause of equality—it is important to the future of science itself. Diverse perspectives lead to more inclusive and innovative solutions, better research, and a scientific field that is more representative of the society it seeks to serve.
The women
I interviewed showed resilience and determination, but our
conversations also raised important questions about the role of institutions. Are science institutes and other scientific institutions doing enough to create positive and inclusive environments for women in science?
By highlighting the strategies and stories of women scientists,
the series aims to encourage a broader conversation about how we can shape an inclusive future for science.