Every year on the 11th of February, Esplora Science Centre, together with the rest of the world celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to acknowledge the contribution girls and women make to science and to highlight the importance of gender equality.
This is also an overarching aim of the Ministry for Research, Innovation and Post Covid-19 Strategy – “to promote Research & Innovation amongst all strata of society, widening awareness and participation by people of different ages and social backgrounds. A particularly specific target is to open up science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers amongst girls and women, giving them an equal opportunity to pursue a career of their choice.”
As part of the celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2021 held at Esplora, Hon. Minister Dr Owen Bonnici reiterated the Maltese Government’s commitment to encouraging girls and women to pursue careers in science and research: “I would like to see more female participation in the fields deriving from STEM subjects, not only to balance out years of under-representation but also because I believe women are key to increasing our national output in the fields of science, research and innovation”, declared Dr Bonnici.
The challenge is considerable. In 2015, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study stated that from the young age of 15, boys are more than twice as likely as girls to aspire for a career as an engineer, scientist or architect by the time they are 30; more than five times more likely than girls to aspire for a career as software developer or applications programmer and almost four times as likely as girls to aspire for a career as an electrical or communication engineering technician.
What is it like to be a woman working in STEM today? To help us understand this better, we contacted two female scientists who kindly agreed to share their stories with us. By looking at their achievements, we are not only celebrating their contributions but also recognizing the struggles that accompany a career in science. Both Dr Marisa Cassar and Prof. Jean Calleja-Agius are experts in their respective fields and have been conducting and publishing research for many years.
Photograph provided by Dr. Marisa Cassar
Dr Marisa Cassar is a DNA forensic expert with a history of working in the biotechnology industry. Most of her work focuses on the development of techniques that can improve methods of analysis of forensic samples.
Photograph provided by Prof. Jean Calleja-Agius
Prof. Jean Calleja-Agius is the Head of Department of Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Malta, managing multidisciplinary projects ranging from pregnancy complications, surgery, contactless monitoring of patients and genetic complications. She also chairs the project ‘GYNOCARE’ which aims to create a network between stakeholders covering research on gynaecological cancer, amongst other things.
According to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics, less than 30 % of the world’s researchers are women. Whilst access to and participation in science has greatly improved over the past few years, women are still highly under-represented in STEM, especially within Research & Innovation.
When asked about the presence of women in their fields of work, both Marisa and Jean were positive about the rise in the number of women entering STEM careers. Marisa noted, however, that although more scholarships are available for both men and women, there is a lack of diversity when it comes to STEM jobs available in Malta, and a lack of opportunities for doing research outside an academic setting.
Both highlighted how hard they had to work in their studies, and the energy and time they invested in their careers. Marisa shared how people tried to disrupt her plans to launch her company. Jean explained that she had to sacrifice time with her family to complete her PhD while working abroad. She spoke of obstacles she had to face, but also of how she found the kind of support that helped her turn challenges into opportunities.
The She Figures 2018 publication of the European Commission reports how, on an EU level, women are more likely than men to graduate with a bachelor’s degree but less likely to acquire a PhD. Male researchers outnumber females in most EU countries, while females outnumber men as supporting staff. Malta is no exception.
On a local level, female researchers are on the rise, but the National European Research Area Roadmap for Malta 2016-2020 pointed out that academic research positions, particularly senior ones, remain male-dominated. Factors that hinder the participation of women in science include inadequate family-friendly measures, ingrained stereotypes about gender roles and a paucity of gender equality plans and strategies in both academia and industry.
The importance of role models cannot be overstated. It is crucial to highlight what drives women to continue to excel and grow in their field. Marisa stresses that even though juggling family life and a demanding job is tricky, a career in science can be very fulfilling. Knowing that the DNA analysis that she worked on has helped in solving a crime and bringing justice is tremendously rewarding to her. Jean expressed how grateful she is for the opportunity to be in people’s lives from pre-conception through life and eventually death.
A lot can be done to encourage more girls to study science and become the next generation of female scientists. Research shows that parents and caregivers are the primary source of influence when it comes to career choices, followed closely by educators. This is why, at Esplora, STEM engagement initiatives also address caregivers and education providers.
One of Marisa’s earliest memories is doing science experiments at the kitchen table with her mother, who was a science teacher. Jean told us that about how an episode in her youth – her mother’s undergoing an emergency hysterectomy – made her realise that very few doctors were female. This drove her to pursue a path to become an obstetrician and gynaecologist.
According to the European Institute of Gender Equality (EIGE), reducing the gender gap in STEM education could help reduce the skills gap, increase employment and productivity of women and reduce occupational segregation. Ultimately this would foster economic growth via both higher productivity and increased labour market activity. By 2050, EU employment could rise by 1,200,000 jobs.
We need more women in science and research, and we need to work together to achieve this. Thankfully, many initiatives are being launched to promote positive role models, provide equal opportunities to engage with science and educate against gender stereotypes and discrimination.
Jean’s advice to girls is to “get interested in everything … and be versatile, adapt in every inevitable, unplanned situation in order to turn every stumbling block into a stepping stone.”
Esplora Interactive Science Centre joins the Ministry for Research, Innovation and Post Covid-19 Strategy in encouraging girls to walk in the footsteps of the many great women who, through hard work and dedication, have left an imprint on science, society and the planet.
