Name: Women in Science
Start: 2026-07-08T10:15:00+0200
End: 2026-07-08T11:15:00+0200

Wednesday July 8, 2026 10:15 - 11:15 CEST

Introduction
Having greater diversity in a research team is shown to strongly benefit the quality of their scientific output (Asmal et al., 2022). Among others, teams with greater diversity tend to be more creative, innovative and efficient in their scientific approach. Additionally, having a diverse research team might increase the inclination of study participants from diverse backgrounds to participate in clinical studies.

HIstorically, the scientific community has been dominated by white men and representation of women and under-represented minorities based on e.g. gender and ethnicity is low, especially within the field of Science, Technology, Engeneering and Mathematics (STEM) (Figueiredo, 2023, Asmal et al., 2022). Studies show that the gender gap increases across career stages, with the women-to-men ratio progressively declining when moving up the academic ladder (Llorens et al., 2021). Underlying factors of this effect are, among others, the presence of a deep-rooted (unconscious) gender bias as well as the lack of positive role models for women in academia.

Goal of the session:
In this session, we aim to provide a brave space to discuss gender-bias in academia. Participants are invited to share their experiences with gender bias and gender-related challenges they face in their career. Faculty members will provide a brief overview of their careers and share insights into the challenges they faced and how they dealt with these.

Preparation:
No formal preparation required.

Pre-session thought questions for participants:

Have you ever experiences gender bias in your career? If so, how did this affect you (both professionally and personally). How did you act upon this?
What (potential) challenges do you face/expect moving forward in academia?
What could others do to help you with this? What can you do to help others facing similar problems?

Participants interested in the topic are suggested to read the following paper:
Llorens A., et al (2021). Gender bias in academia: A lifetime problem that needs solutions. Neuron, 109(13): 2047-2074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2021.06.002

Speakers

Janine Geerling

Assistant Professor, UMC Utrecht

As a biomedical scientist specialized in higher education teaching, I dedicate myself to designing and providing educational activities that stimulate the development of student's research skills. More specifically, I focus on training students to design their research in an inclusive... Read More →

Hester den Ruijter

Professor of Cardiovascular disease in women, Univ. Med. Ctr., Utrecht

I am a professor at the Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology in the University Medical Center Utrecht. My research focusses on sex differences in cardiovascular diseases. I have been trained in fundamental research as well as in clinical epidemiology. Currently, I coordinate both... Read More →

Femke van Wijk

Professor Immunology and Manager Research Pediatrics, UMC Utrecht

Femke van Wijk is a Professor in Tissue Immunology at the Center for Translational Immunology at the University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMCU) in the Netherlands. Dr. van Wijk obtained her PhD on mechanisms of oral tolerance and allergic sensitization to peanut at the Utrecht University... Read More →

Wednesday July 8, 2026 10:15 - 11:15 CEST
TBA

Parallel, Sub

Eureka International Summer Course in Translational Medicine 2026

Janine Geerling

Hester den Ruijter

Femke van Wijk

Get help with the event

Eureka International Summer Course in Translational Medicine 2026

Janine Geerling

Hester den Ruijter

Femke van Wijk

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