A researcher in my class: NCCR Women to schools

Even today, stereotypes and cultural norms are an obstacle to the orientation of young girls towards the "MINT" fields (Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Technology). This poses new societal challenges in the era of digital transformation. Subsequently, the progression of women's careers in research is still struggling, marked by gender inequalities in most scientific fields.

One of the best ways to encourage young girls to choose science and research professions is to expose them to professional and personal experiences of real-life female role models with rewarding professional careers in science.

In this context, 22 National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs), including the NCCR Bio-Inspired Materials, active throughout Switzerland have joined forces in a campaign showing how women are at the center of research in all fields, from quantum physics to linguistics, from neuroscience to architecture.

In the course of this campaign, current women researchers are profiled through a series of short videos, which show who they are, what they do and why they do it. These portraits of women from around the world can be viewed and shared freely through social networks: YouTube, Instagram, Twitter. Videos are listed by language spoken or field of research. All videos are subtitled in French, German, or English. Teachers are invited you to view these portraits and discuss them in class with their students.

To go further with these exchanges, our NCCRs offer teachers the opportunity to invite one of their researchers to their classroom during the 2022/2023 school year. These women are working in fields ranging from engineering to linguistics, architecture, chemistry, robotics, neuroscience, quantum physics or microbiology.

We hope this initiative will inspire students and uncover vocations, while solidifying their belief that women can succeed in MINT fields.

If you are a teacher interested in inviting a woman researcher in your class,  please register here (Deutsch) or here (Français).

The #NCCRWomen Committee

Email: nccrwomen@gmail.com