Women in STEM: Perspectives from InPlasTwin
5 Remarkable Women of InPlasTwin Discuss Challenges in STEM
As previously announced, InPlasTwin dedicated February 2025 to celebrating the invaluable contributions of women within our project. To mark this, we interviewed five women from the InPlasTwin consortium, who shared their perspectives on the position of female scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). In our upcoming blog post, we’ll feature these five inspiring InPlasTwin scientists – Janja Vidmar and Majda Nikezic (Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI), Slovenia), Katrin Loeschner and Bina Bhattarai (Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Denmark) and Konstantina Argyropoulou (Agricultural University of Athens, (AUA)) – discussing their passions, motivations, challenges, and advice for young girls aspiring to a career in science.
What aspects of their job Women of InPlasTwin love the most?
A passion for research, continuous learning, analytical thinking, and scientific writing emerged as a common thread among our remarkable colleagues when they discussed the most enjoyable aspects of their work. Janja Vidmar, a Research Associate at JSI and InPlasTwin Coordinator, stated, “I enjoy the dynamic and stimulating working environment, which helps me keep learning and growing both as a scientist and a person. I also love the opportunity to work with scientists from around the world, which expands my research and knowledge.” Katrin Loeschner, an Associate Professor at DTU, emphasized, “Supporting younger scientists is important to me, as I remember the challenges I faced early in my career.”
These women’s roles allow them to pursue their mission of discovering solutions to various problems, thereby pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge. Through their efforts, they aim to contribute to a better future. Majda Nikezić, a Research Assistant at JSI, highlighted, “The constant challenge of uncovering new insights and pushing the boundaries of knowledge keeps me engaged and motivated.”
Driven by Curiosity: What Inspired These Women in Science?
The women of InPlasTwin, driven by a range of motivations spanning from a fascination with the microscopic realm to a commitment to environmental protection, exemplified the diverse nature of scientific pursuits and the diverse pathways individuals traverse to establish their careers in this field. A unifying characteristic among them is inherent curiosity and a profound desire to investigate the unknown, thereby serving as compelling role models for aspiring scientists.
For Katrin, InPlasTwin team leader at DTU, the main inspiration was a love of science and a general curiosity that fueled her academic journey. “I love solving puzzles and analytical challenges,” she explained, “and I’m fascinated by how microscopic structures influence macroscopic properties.” While her path to analytical chemistry and food science might have involved some serendipity, her commitment to ensuring access to safe and healthy food is a clear and powerful motivator. The constant learning and new challenges she added keep her inspired and engaged. Konstantina’s motivation was simple and direct. Her concise answer “The love for research and science.” speaks volumes about the intrinsic drive that fuels many scientists.
Janja’s pursuit of science stems from “My ongoing curiosity and desire to better understand and protect the environment.” This environmental consciousness highlights the crucial role scientists play in safeguarding our planet. Bina’s motivation centers around making a tangible impact: “evidence-based contribution to society.” This desire to contribute to the greater good through rigorous research is a powerful force driving scientific advancement.
Majda’s path was paved by a love for problem-solving: “I have always been excited by the challenge of solving intellectually demanding and creative problems every day – or at least trying to.” She elaborated on her enjoyment of the process, even when faced with frustration, finding satisfaction in the effort, precision, and attention to detail required.
Navigating the STEM Landscape: Challenges and Triumphs of Women in Science
While science offers incredible opportunities for discovery and innovation, women in STEM often face unique challenges. In that regard, Katrin shared that she’s encountered challenges such as balancing work and family life. She emphasized the importance of support systems, noting, “I’ve been fortunate to have a fantastic partner and great leaders and mentors who have supported me along the way.” Katrin also highlighted the importance of self-advocacy, a skill she continues to develop. “I’ve become better at advocating for myself and my work, though there’s still room for improvement,” she admitted. Her commitment to supporting and inspiring other women in STEM underscores her dedication to creating a more equitable future.
Konstantina spoke candidly about the difficulty she faced in finding work. Her experience underscores the challenges many faces in entering and advancing in STEM fields. However, she persevered “With effort and conviction about my abilities,” she stated, “I managed to join the workplace.”
Janja emphasized her good fortune in not facing significant challenges as a woman in science and underscored that her career has been built on demonstrating skills through hard work and commitment.
Bina highlighted the universal challenge of balancing career and family: “One of the challenges is balancing the role of mother and researcher. I try to balance it by coordinating with my partner.” This speaks to the systemic issues that often disproportionately affect women in STEM.
Majda finds inspiration in the women around her. “That being said, I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by inspiring female role models who are not only exceptional scientists but also show strong leadership. Their examples have helped me learn a great deal about communication, relationships, and navigating challenges with confidence.”
These women’s experiences, while diverse, highlight the common threads of resilience, perseverance, and the importance of support and mentorship. Their stories serve as valuable insights for aspiring female scientists and emphasize the ongoing need to address systemic challenges to create a more inclusive and equitable STEM landscape.
InPlasTwin Women's Advice to Their Younger Selves
InPlasTwin Women's Advice to Their Younger Selves
While raising awareness about problems is crucial, we attempted to go beyond that by offering ideas and suggestions aimed at achieving better balance in the scientific field and minimising the gender gap.
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