Visit from the European Commission highlights Women in STEM
European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu visited the Department of Physics at Stockholm University to learn more about how the university promotes gender equality in the STEM field.
Photo: Jonathan Nackstrand/EU
“My priority throughout this mandate is to encourage girls and women to pursue STEM careers,” said Roxana Mînzatu, who leads the European Commission’s work on social rights, skills, quality jobs, and preparedness.
The purpose of her visit was to gain insight into how Stockholm University works to promote gender equality, recruitment, and education in natural science subjects, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The visit was part of the European Commission’s work on issues related to jobs, skills, education, and social rights – areas that are central to building Europe’s future human capital.
During her visit, Roxana Mînzatu was given a tour at the Department of Physics and talked to researchers and students about their work.
“When I decided to apply for grad school, Stockholm University was particularly interesting because of their work to achieve gender equality in university studies,” said Rachel Poulose who is a PhD student at the Department of Physics.
Lena Mäler, Dean of the Faculty of Science, highlighted how the university combines cutting-edge research with active efforts to promote inclusion and skills development in science and technology.
Focusing on Women in STEM is a way for the European Commission to highlight how gender equality, education, and research can contribute to innovation and growth.
“Education and research are Europe’s most powerful engines of progress – and they must go hand in hand”, said Roxana Mînzatu.