I have always wanted to become a historian! In secondary school, I had a teacher who passed on her passion to me: her classes were unforgettable, always full of energy and completely dedicated to her students. Even before that, I had always been drawn to the past, to the mechanisms behind events that shaped a society. It therefore felt obvious for me to pursue studies in history.An international day dedicated to Women and Girls in Science
Around the world, there has been a significant gender gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for many years. Although women have made immense progress in terms of their participation in higher education, they remain under-represented in these scientific categories.
To promote the empowerment of women and girls in STEM and to raise awareness of the need to include women in science and technology, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 11 February ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’ in 2015.
Sara Maria Eraso · PhD Student · Faculty of Computer Science
How would you describe your academic journey so far?
My academic journey so far has been full of learning and challenges, but like everything in life, with dedication I’ve always been able to face them. I wasn’t sure as a child that I wanted to study computer science, but the idea of using our creativity to build solutions to real-world problems always appealed to me, which is why engineering was always a good option. I don’t have a clear idea of what I might do in the future, but I know that I want to contribute from my knowledge to making the world a slightly better place.
What made you want to pursue astronomy or participate in astronomy-related activities?
The study of space has always seemed fascinating to me, especially because, as humans, we are always trying to investigate it, and science provides us with the tools to approach and model it. Although my work focuses more on software, having the opportunity to apply technology to work on artifacts that depend on spatial variables and conditions is rewarding.
Do you think that being a woman influenced your academic and university career?
I think so; especially because of all the support and initiatives for gender equality in STEM fields. Although the gap still exists, the fact that there is motivation is a great start, which we are already seeing reflected in the increasing participation of women in these fields.
Have you ever experienced stereotypes or specific expectations related to your gender in your school and university career?
Stereotypes exist, but fortunately I’ve never experienced anything strange related to them; I consider it a good sign that society is changing.
Do you feel you are sufficiently represented as a woman in the space field (including in your studies)?
In general, I’ve had good role models among women, especially since my bachelor studies, where I had brilliant female professors who always inspired me. However, at the intersection of space and technology, we see that men predominate as founders of companies dedicated to this purpose, perhaps we are still at the turning point where women are beginning to stand out in research and development, but soon they will also be leaders in the sector.
What would need to be improved to encourage more women to pursue scientific studies and astronomy?
I think that by continuing to promote science from an early age, if we receive inspiration and knowledge from a young age, we will simply be accustomed to working in these areas and will have all freedom to choose this path with confidence if we so wish.
What advice would you give to a young girl interested in astronomy?
That they should continue with that dream, that science and technology are a fascinating path full of things to discover and work on, and that we as women have all our capabilities to tackle them, we are on equal footing, and a woman will always do an incredible job if she sets her mind to it.
Is there a message or personal experience you would like to share to inspire other young women?
I would tell them to trust in themselves, that as women we also have our strength and courage; no stigma will be more powerful than that spark that inspires us to discover the world of science of which we are already a part.
Perrine Demeijer · Student · Faculty of Philosophy and Letters
How would you describe your academic journey so far?
I have always wanted to become a historian! In secondary school, I had a teacher who passed on her passion to me: her classes were unforgettable, always full of energy and completely dedicated to her students. Even before that, I had always been drawn to the past, to the mechanisms behind events that shaped a society. It therefore felt obvious for me to pursue studies in history.Since I was very young, I have also been fascinated by space and its exploration: my ultimate dream would be to specialize in the history of aerospace! Human curiosity and our ability to organize ourselves to create things is something unique that has taken us far and will take us even further. Perhaps one day even beyond the solar system? I am currently in the third year of a Bachelor’s degree in History, and I am truly enjoying the courses I am taking.
What made you want to pursue astronomy or participate in astronomy-related activities?
The main factor that led me to get involved in astronomy is the UNIVERSEH student club in Namur (KàP to UNIVERSEH) and the activities offered, which I find original and enriching. I also get along very well with the other people involved in the student club, and I really enjoy gaining new knowledge each time we meet, thanks to the diversity of our academic backgrounds.
I believe that the universe, beyond its purely scientific dimension, also has a poetic side that many artists throughout the centuries have explored (and continue to explore). That is what has always made me look up at the sky.
Was there a particular moment or person that sparked your interest in astronomy?
The first time I heard about space, celestial bodies, and some related concepts was through an episode of “C’est pas Sorcier” (French popular science show) when I was in primary school. That episode sparked my curiosity so much that I devoured tons of children’s books about space over the following year.
After that, I started watching films and reading books that use space as a backdrop to tell a story ; sometimes in a very scientific way, sometimes with a more imaginative interpretation. More recently, discovering the film Apollo 8 and Thomas Pesquet’s documentary “16 Sunrises” (2016) rekindled this passion.
Do you think that being a woman influenced your academic and university career?
It is difficult to fully grasp all the societal mechanisms in place that shape the position of women in society and within academic institutions. Personally, I believe it is important to take into account the entirety of who we are when writing a scientific paper: my worldview, shaped in part by the fact that I am a woman, inevitably influences the way I perceive the world and the society around me, and therefore also the way I analyze it.
I have been fortunate never to face gender discrimination at the University of Namur. However, I am convinced that it is always essential to educate ourselves on this issue and to actively ensure that every girl and woman feels included and welcome within scientific and academic institutions.
Do you feel sufficiently represented as a woman in the space field?
Personally, I think it’s great that NASA has made an effort to recruit more women as astronauts compared to a few decades ago, when the corps was made up exclusively of men.
As for the place and number of women in humanities studies related to the space field, there are very few historians specializing in the history of aeronautics, space, and astronomy. However, there is a clear upward trend in the number of women in historical research, and I’m very pleased to see that.
Have you had (or did you have) any female role models, particularly related to astronomy, during your time as a student?
For the past few years, I have been closely following the career and news of the French astronaut Sophie Adenot.
The very first woman I heard about in connection with the space field was Katherine Goble (Johnson, her maiden name). She was an engineer and mathematician at NASA and played a crucial role in the early days of the first American human spaceflight program (Mercury). Her work involved calculatingwithout computers at the time—the trajectories of the Atlas rocket before launch. For a long time, her work, along with that of hundreds of African American women, was overlooked in favor of the male engineers who were working on the project at the same time. And yet, without her, neither John Glenn nor Alan Shepard would have been able to take off. Her story is told in the film Hidden Figures, which I highly recommend to everyone.
In your opinion, what role(s) can female students play in changing mindsets about women in Space fields?
We are at an age where our minds are brimming with energy, full of determination and ideas, and I am convinced that students’ voices matter and should be listened to more often. We are the citizens and leaders of tomorrow, and it is up to us to think about how we want society to evolve.
Concretely, I believe that female students could get involved in projects related to their field of study in order to make their work more accessible, reach as wide an audience as possible, and raise awareness of their activity and contribution to society.
What advice would you give to a young girl interested in astronomy?
Go for it, make mistakes, learn, and try again. There are countless different paths that can lead you to work in or conduct research related to astronomy. Find the one or ones that interest you the most, and don’t hesitate: you have a place wherever you choose to go, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Men have dominated almost all academic fields for a long time, but that doesn’t mean women don’t belong there.