On February 11 we – alongside other STEM faculties* - celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Women nowadays make up 60% of all science students, yet their numbers are fading as they make their way up the ranks. Only 10% of full professors are female. Women still face many hurdles along the way that more often than not turn into a true hostile obstacle course, that is spiked with not only a lack of women role models, adverse social expectations, and the inaccessible “Old Boys’ Club”, but sometimes even outright sexism.

As the faculty of life sciences, we are aware of the intellectual, innovative and creative capacities of women and the necessity of a diverse work environment. Innovation does not happen while looking backwards.

Thus, like last year, we asked female researchers – ranging from technical assistants, PhD-students, postdocs to professors and vice deans to send us a pic. With the below gallery we want to raise awareness to the fact that female scientists have many faces. Behind each face there is a different story why they chose a career in research. Yet, all of them are united by their passion for science.

Please find the page updated with new portraits (yes, the campaign is growing!) here.