Physics - Politecnico di Milano’s Post

I saw this photo today and it reminded me that when we talk about inclusion and diversity the Physics field in the early 1900s was probably not the best example of a place to be. This photo was captured during the 5th Conference on Quantum Mechanics in Belgium, in 1927. And all these scientists probably represent one of the most prolific generations in the history of science, with 17 Nobel prizes among them and names (e.g Einstein, Lorentz and Born) that if you have ever studied physics or watched the recent Oppenheimer movie you will recognize. But what does this photo also show? It shows that even against all the odds and society pressure an outsider with intelligence, dedication and willingness can make its way into a selective group and compete at the same level as all of them leaving a legacy to the world. If you look carefully, the third person from the left on the first row is Marie Curie who was the sole woman in attendance. Marie is best known for her research around radiation and her multiple contributions to the field. But not only that! Even among all the geniuses on this photo and depict all of them and being a woman in the early 1900s, she holds the distinction of being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person to win it twice, and the only individual, even among all of them, to secure Nobel Prizes in two distinct fields: physics and chemistry. But not only that. Marie in addition to all of that went to be a wife, a mother of two and provide essential support to the wounded First World war soldiers through the mass use of X-ray machines. She represents a life of superation in a World and time when women's contributions were usually seen as below men in science and tech . And how these concepts were wrong then and are wrong now. #diversity #womenintech #inclusion

📢 The call for nominations is now open for the 2025 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards! 🌟 Since 1998, these prestigious awards have recognized and supported eminent women in science worldwide. Each year, five Laureates are honored for their significant contributions to advancing science, with alternating focus on Life Sciences or Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science. For the 2025 edition, we are seeking nominations for outstanding scientific researchers in Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science from the following regions: 🔹 Africa and the Arab States 🔹 Asia and the Pacific 🔹 Europe 🔹 Latin America and the Caribbean 🔹 North America One candidate will be selected from each region, based on their place of work for at least 5 years, regardless of nationality. Each Laureate will be awarded €100,000 to support their continued research. Nominate an inspiring woman in science today and help us celebrate scientific excellence! 🏆🔬 #WomenInScience #ScientificExcellence #LOrealUNESCOAwards #WomenInSTEM #PhysicalSciences #Mathematics #ComputerScience https://lnkd.in/d_Vb8mfE

To mark Women's History Month, I want to celebrate Marie Curie, a pioneer whose contributions to science continue to inspire generations. Marie Curie, born in 1867, defied the norms of her time to become one of the most renowned scientists in history. Her ground-breaking research on radioactivity earned her not one but two Nobel Prizes – in Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911) – making her the first person ever to receive Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields. Beyond her scientific achievements, Marie Curie's perseverance in the face of adversity serves as a beacon of inspiration. Despite facing gender discrimination and societal barriers, she blazed a trail for women in STEM fields, proving that brilliance knows no gender. Let her legacy remind us of the importance of curiosity, determination, and resilience in the pursuit of knowledge and progress. You can read more about Marie Curie's extraordinary life and work here: https://lnkd.in/eCc5K3zh #WomenInHistory #WomenInScience #MarieCurie 

February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science which will likely see big tech, science, and industry spotlight successful women currently in the field.....but do young women and girls see the history of breakthroughs achieved by women in textbooks and science lessons, or are these lost chapters in STEM history? Scientific heroes like... 🧬 Rosalind Franklin who deduced the basic dimensions of DNA strands and their likely helical structure but left her research incomplete when she passed away at just 37. In 1962, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins for solving the structure of DNA (Rosalind was unable to be recognised as the Nobel Committee does not make posthumous nominations). 💻 Or Ada Lovelace; often seen as the world's first computer programmer whose mother originally encouraged maths and science as a "method of taming Ada’s imagination". In the 1830's, Ada worked with her friend Charles Babbage to create the "Analytical Engine", the world’s first digital computer, with a store, a processor, a memory, a sub-routing function, and all the other essential features of a modern digital computer. There's a huge opportunity to inspire new generations of girls to careers in STEM, by celebrating many years of history and the culture of innovation that has preceded them and including female innovators in STEM history lessons and education. You can't be what you can't see! "As humans, we’re by-products of our upbringings, victims of our lackluster educational systems, and choosers of our behaviors. In short, the reduction of women to something less than men, and the elevation of men to something more than women, is not biological: it’s cultural." - Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus (inspiration for the recent Apple TV series with Brie Larson!) #LinkedInNewsAustralia #womeninstem #internationalwomensday

Throughout history, countless remarkable women have made groundbreaking scientific discoveries, yet their names are often overshadowed by their male counterparts. The most famous example is that of Rosalind Franklin, whose research in X-ray crystallography played a crucial role in unraveling the structure of DNA. Although Franklin's iconic "Photo 51" was critical for the discovery of DNA’s double helix structure, she was not credited alongside James Watson and Francis Crick, who received a Nobel Prize–a historical oversight that has only recently begun to be rectified. Another notable figure who wasn’t credited for her contributions is Lise Meitner, an Austrian physicist who discovered nuclear fission, along with Otto Hahn. Meitner's brilliant insights laid the groundwork for this groundbreaking discovery, yet she was not included in the Nobel Prize awarded solely to Hahn for their work. Similarly, even though Chien-Shiung Wu, a pioneering experimental physicist, played a crucial role in disproving the law of conservation of parity, a fundamental principle in physics, she was overlooked for the Nobel Prize. These examples are symptomatic of the systemic biases and barriers that have historically impeded women's advancement in STEMM fields, and reveal a broader pattern of women being marginalised or omitted from recognition in the scientific community. As Women’s History Month ends today, it’s imperative to continue amplifying the voices and stories of women who have shaped our world and reclaim their rightful place in history. By acknowledging and honouring the achievements of women in STEMM, we not only pay tribute to their extraordinary contributions, but also inspire future generations of women to pursue their passions. #WomenInSTEM #WomenInMedicine #STEMM #MothersInScience

Science in the Creative Society: The Role of Women Scientists On the 11th of February is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The Creative Society is a vision of a world where everyone has the opportunity to unleash their creative potential and contribute to solving the most pressing challenges of our time. Science is one of the key drivers of the Creative Society, as it enables us to discover new knowledge, invent new technologies, and innovate new solutions. However, science is not only about facts and figures but also about people and values. Women have been involved in science since ancient times, but their contributions have often been overlooked, ignored, or erased by history. Despite the obstacles and discrimination they faced, many women scientists have made remarkable breakthroughs in various fields of science, such as physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, astronomy, and engineering. By supporting and empowering women and girls in science, we can create a more inclusive, diverse, and creative scientific community, which can generate more knowledge, innovation, and solutions for society. Women scientists are not only the beneficiaries, but also the agents of change and transformation for a better world. Science is a vital force for the Creative Society, enabling us to explore, understand, and improve our world. Women scientists play a crucial role in developing and advancing science, as they bring their unique perspectives, insights, and talents to the scientific endeavor. #womeninscience #science #CreativeSociety

📢 POWERFUL WOMEN IN S.T.E.M 📢 Quote of the day: "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." -Marie Curie (1867-1934) Pioneering physicist and chemist, Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields. Marie Curie's quote urges the STEM community to approach challenges with curiosity and a commitment to understanding. This succinct mantra fosters a culture of continuous learning, encourages calculated risks in research, and promotes effective communication of scientific knowledge. It emphasizes that by seeking to understand the unknown, scientists can contribute to innovation and progress, ultimately diminishing fear associated with scientific advancements. Are the people around you fostering a community of fear?

Marie Curie: Radiating Persistence and Breaking Scientific Barriers In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a woman defied the odds of her time to become one of the most influential scientists in history. Her name was Marie Curie, a physicist and chemist who changed the world with her groundbreaking work in radioactivity. 🔬 The Journey Begins: Born in Warsaw, Poland, Curie faced numerous challenges, including limited opportunities for women in science. Yet, she persevered, moving to Paris to pursue her scientific dreams. 💡 The Discovery: Marie Curie's research on uranium rays led to the discovery of two new elements – polonium and radium. Her work laid the foundation for the field of atomic physics and revolutionized medical treatments. 🎓 The Recognition: Despite the societal norms of her era, Curie's brilliance couldn't be ignored. She became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win in two different scientific fields – Physics and Chemistry. 🌍 The Impact: Curie's work went beyond laboratories. She developed mobile radiography units during World War I, bringing X-ray technology to the battlefield and saving countless lives. 🚀 The Legacy: Marie Curie's legacy is one of unyielding determination and scientific excellence. She broke barriers for women in science and inspired generations to pursue their passions, regardless of obstacles. 📈 Today's Takeaway: Marie Curie's story teaches us the power of resilience and the impact of pursuing one's passions. Her discoveries have shaped the modern world, reminding us that with dedication and hard work, we can make significant contributions to society. Your Thoughts?: How do you overcome challenges in your professional journey? Do you have stories of perseverance leading to success? Let's share and learn from each other's experiences, inspired by Marie Curie's indomitable spirit. For more stories of inspiring individuals and their impact on our world, follow me on LinkedIn.

Welcome to the Max Planck Symposium 2024, keynote speaker Dr. Iris Mencke, researcher of the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. 🎤 New Ways of Cultivating Excellence: The Overseen Opportunities to Advance Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research 📑 Inter- and transdisciplinarity (ITD) represent modes of research that are increasingly important for all collaborations in which experts with knowledge from different disciplines and sectors are involved. The need to solve complex social and global problems as well as the rapid pace of technological innovation such as AI has led to an elevated call for ITD research in recent years as it promises particularly innovative and sustainable solutions. However, ITD collaborations come with a multitude of challenges. Such projects are more risky as they are more exploratory, sometimes deliberately more open-ended. Often times the prevalent monodisciplinary organisational structures are challenging for interdisciplinary research modes. Additionally, an ITD project highly benefits from researchers with open mindsets, curious attitudes and the ability to change perspectives. Leaders need the capacity to navigate safely through uncharted and particularly diverse territory. While these challenges are more and more studied, the development of solution-oriented approaches to overcome such challenges is relatively unknown to the scientific community. In my keynote, I will reflect on the opportunities and challenges of inter- and transdisciplinarity and present practice-oriented approaches with which to professionalize and fully exploit the potential of inter- and transdisciplinary research projects. 📢 Registration OPEN for the 9th Max Planck Symposium for Alumni and Early Career Researchers (27.-28.6.2024, Harnack House Berlin) 💡 In the light of global crises, education and educational equality continues to be at risk – at the same time, education and learning is undergoing drastic changes due to the rise of AI and digital tools. We will discuss “The future of education around the world” and careers therein in the course of keynotes, workshops, focus talks, fireside chats and of course fun evening activities. 📆 We're excited to present all speakers and their topics within the next week, here on LinkedIn. Watch out for topics that spark your interest and register if you are a Max Planck Alumnus/Alumna or an active Max Planck Early Career Researcher (master/doctoral student, postdoc, group leader etc) -- the conference is free of charge and we still have very few travel stipends available for alumn*ae. www.mpg.de/symposium2024 #education #educationalequality #educationai #career #future #ethics #maxplanckalumni #maxplanckearlycareerresearchers

Big shout out to Siyuan Guo for winning the 2024 Outstanding Female Doctoral Student Prize! With this prize the Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme honors one exceptional Ph.D. student each year for her scientific achievements and contributions to the research community. Siyuan is a Ph.D. student supervised by Bernhard Schölkopf at the Max Planck Insitute for Intelligent Systems in #Tübingen and Ferenc Huszár at the University of Cambridge. She is also a Ph.D. fellow under the Cambridge-Tübingen Ph.D. Program. Why do we award a prize dedicated to female researchers? We seek to recognize and honor the achievements of women in research, particularly in the traditionally male-dominated fields of robotics and AI where our institute focuses. Currently, many prestigious and financially rewarding prizes in academia are dominated by male recipients, which can reduce fairness, recognition, and career opportunities for female scientists. Indeed, research has shown that advisors of all genders tend to think first of nominating their male trainees for honors. Thus, this prize aims to raise awareness about potential biases in the nomination and selection of awardees and to increase support for female scientists early in their careers. By offering this prize, we hope to provide additional career opportunities that might not otherwise be possible for the recipients.