Celebrating the unique journeys of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at CERN & beyond

At CERN & Society Foundation, we are committed to promoting diversity & inclusion in STEM.

This year, the CERN & Society Foundation is launching the Women in STEM campaign, with the goal of celebrating and amplifying the stories of women and girls who are contributing to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in unique and inspiring ways. Our focus is on sharing the journeys of participants and organizers within our programs, highlighting individuals who aren’t the "traditional" scientists, such as students, teachers, and project leaders working at CERN.

The campaign is part of a larger initiative to inspire young girls and women in STEM careers and help aspiring scientists push existing boundaries. Our Women in STEM campaign aims to reduce the gap between dreaming and achieving fulfilling careers in science, while shedding light on women-led projects and their impact.

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"I hope that women in future are free to pursue their career in science without being prejudiced and brought down by men or each other. I also think the issue stems from the difference in upbringing of girls and boys. Girls are discouraged from being interested in science from young age. I hope that this narrative will change in the future." 

- Violeta Jürgens, Team Mavericks, Estonia; Beamline for Schools winning team 2024

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Why this Campaign Matters

The Women in STEM aims to: 

• Challenge Stereotypes and show that science is for everyone by featuring diverse stories from women in unique roles at CERN. 
• Inspire the Next Generation by empowering girls and young women to pursue careers in STEM by highlighting relatable role models. 
• Amplify and Provide a Platform for underrepresented voices to share honest experiences of their struggles, challenges and the strength it takes to overcome them. 

How You Can Get Involved 

• Share the Stories on social media (find our campaign posts on LinkedIn & Facebook) using the hashtags #WomenInSTEM and #CERNandSociety 
• Share Your Own Stories with us by commenting on our social media pages and help inspire future scientists.
• Support the Campaign by contributing to our mission by donating/partnering with us to fund educational resources & outreach. More information here. 

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"I vividly remember a schoolteacher telling us that women couldn’t be good scientists because their brains supposedly "dry up" after the age of 25. I was so shocked by this audacity that I printed out pictures of great female scientists and prepared a presentation to debunk this myth. No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world"

- Amina Sadu, Kazakhstan; Participant in the Non-member State Summer Students Programme

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