This International Women’s Day, we celebrate women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), by recognizing their contributions to a historically male-dominated field. In 2021, women made up nearly a third of STEM graduates in the EU, with Romania, Poland, Greece, and Italy leading in female representation. However, self-employed women in science remain just above 25%, reports Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union.
To bridge this gap, the EU has intensified efforts through various initiatives seeking to achieve gender equality, such as Horizon Europe 2021-2027 Research and Innovation projects (R&I) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (equal opportunities in academia). The STE(A)M approach, developed with universities and R&I stakeholders, aims to make STEM more inclusive by including the arts and creative subjects (hence the “A” is STEAM).
These initiatives reinforce the link between gender equality and STEM. And to provide a real-world perspective, we spoke with Alice Piemonti, a 27 years old AI Engineer and Data Analyst at Martel Lab. Alice holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing. A year ago she joined Martel Lab, where she focuses on research in the fields of Machine Learning and generative AI within EU-funded projects.
Women in STEM are still a minority compared to men. What has been your experience as a woman during your studies and in your professional life?
As a woman in a field where men are more prevalent, I’ve experienced both perks and challenges. At university, there were few women in my course, and being in the minority often gave us visibility, which can help promote gender balance. For instance, when a woman spoke up in class, professors tended to welcome her contribution, given the largely male environment.
I’ve had similar experiences in my professional life, including at Martel, where I’ve felt that my managers took pride in having women on the team, recognizing the value of diversity and the need to address gender disparity in the industry. Additionally, when applying for jobs earlier, I noticed that some companies made a concerted effort to attract female candidates to improve gender balance, something I appreciated during the interview process. Of course, there have been challenges too, and I’m sure many other women can relate. As one of the few women among male colleagues, you can sometimes feel out of place, questioning whether you need to camouflage yourself to avoid standing out. Moreover, starting out in STEM without many female role models in a male-centric industry made it hard to envision success. Without women to look up to, it is difficult to know if I could succeed. Despite these challenges, I built resilience.
Have you encountered gender stereotypes in the industry?
I want to acknowledge that women are well aware of the gender imbalance in this industry, and I certainly felt the environment I was entering. At university, there were misconceptions about women achieving high marks, with subtle remarks suggesting we only passed exams because of our gender. In my professional life, as a newcomer with less technical experience, I felt that being a woman often highlighted my lack of expertise more than it might have for a man in the same position. There are also stereotypes about women’s roles, where stakeholders in technical meetings may assume women attending represent non-technical jobs. Appearance can further shape perceptions about the domain you’re associated with, although the world is changing, and hopefully we won’t have “female or male jobs” anymore in the future.
What piece of advice would you give to young women approaching STEM?
If you’re passionate about the industry, stay focused on your goals and push forward despite the gender disparity. Don’t be too hard on yourself: this field is challenging, especially when you’re just starting out. It’s normal to feel insecure, but remember that success takes time and often comes through failure. Women often tend to be more self-critical when facing difficult tasks, so it’s important to learn to be assertive and trust in your abilities.
What do you think should be done to encourage more women approaching STEM?
It’s essential to spotlight the diverse women who have built successful careers. Sharing their stories and offering role models is vital for inspiring the next generation. In tech and science, where most CEOs are men, showcasing female examples can help change the narrative. Highlighting women in STEM is particularly important, as they often bring valuable complementary skills, like a natural ability to foster dialogue, that can enhance the traditionally male-associated qualities in the industry.
