Workshop addresses challenges of young female researchers
On 11 March, a workshop will be held in Odense for younger female researchers at TEK, SUND, and NAT. The workshop aims to equip participants with tools to navigate a competitive research environment, a pressing need according to organiser Eva Arnspang Christensen.
Studies repeatedly reveal the same pattern: while more women than men complete university degrees in Denmark, women remain underrepresented among researchers at the nation’s universities.
There are multiple reasons for this, and therefore, many potential solutions. One approach is to better prepare younger female researchers for the often demanding and competitive research landscape, says Eva Arnspang Christensen.
She is head of SDU Biotechnology at the Department of Green Technology and chair of the equality committee at the Faculty of Engineering, and she has now taken the initiative for the workshop Tools to Navigate Academia – Empower Yourself in a Competitive Research Environment.
- It is essential to work on empowering women so they can navigate an elite research environment focused on high performance, says Eva Arnspang Christensen
- Many women are undoubtedly already know how to do this, but there is also a recognised need for reflection and learning new tools. In fact, the course has nearly been fully booked, and we have received numerous comments about its necessity, she adds.
The workshop will take place on 11 March, from 9:00 to 17:00, at Brandts in Odense. It is open for registration and free for younger female PhD students, postdocs, assistant professors, and associate professors at TEK, SUND, and NAT.
The instructor, Roxana Kia, is a former professional actress and theatre director. She has extensive experience teaching leaders, communicators, and performers, including at CBS, on achieving calm, authority, and confidence.
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Henrik Bindslev, also considers the workshop important and encourages all interested parties to sign up.
- Diversity and equality are not just boxes to tick. They are values we must actively work towards, primarily to create space for more and different individuals at our university. This also helps us to gain more perspectives on what we do, which in turn leads to better results. It is a collective responsibility, says Henrik Bindslev.
- I believe a workshop like this can be one of many steps towards a more inclusive university.
The registration deadline for the workshop is 1 February.