Women in science are not only pioneers of innovation but also key drivers of progress in solving the world’s most pressing challenges. From medical breakthroughs to climate solutions and technological advancements, their influence shapes the future of our societies and economies.
Historically, however, women’s contributions to science were often overlooked or even attributed to their male counterparts. For instance, Rosalind Franklin, whose work was crucial to discovering the DNA double helix, was overshadowed by the recognition given to Watson and Crick. Then there’s Ada Lovelace, whose pioneering work in computer science was largely forgotten until recently.
To counteract this, in 2015 The United Nations General Assembly established 11 February as a day to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS). The day focuses on recognising women’s invaluable contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Its purpose was (and remains) to promote equal access to and participation in science for females and to further gender equality and empowerment.
This year not only marks the IDWGS’ tenth anniversary and ‘Her Voice in Science’ [1], but it is also thirty years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) – one of the most influential global frameworks for advancing gender equality and women’s rights – was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing (1995).
BPfA set an ambitious agenda to remove systemic barriers preventing women from fully participating in all areas of life – including education, employment, and leadership. The IDWGS aligns with this goal by celebrating achievements and encouraging young women to pursue careers in science.
So, as we approach the 2025 celebration, it’s important to reflect on and highlight some of the remarkable women who’ve been honoured.
Her Voice Today
Gender equality in STEM is not merely a matter of social justice but is also vital for advancing science and technology. Research suggests that diverse teams are more effective and innovative, leading to better problem-solving and creative solutions.
One study (notably not undertaken entirely by women) has shown that outcomes significantly improve when women are included in scientific discussions and decision-making processes [2]. The study also found that teams with higher female representation exhibit greater social sensitivity and more equitable participation, leading to enhanced problem-solving capabilities.
In the healthcare sector, a global review highlighted in The Guardian emphasised that female leadership positively impacts financial performance, innovation, ethical initiatives, health outcomes, organisational culture, and the careers of other women [3]. Yet, despite constituting a significant portion of the scientific and research workforce, women remain underrepresented. Moreover, this underrepresentation suggests that there is still an untapped potential for improved outcomes through increased female participation.
Although the landscape for women and girls in science has significantly improved in 2025, challenges remain. According to UNESCO, women represent only 30% of researchers globally [4].
Inspirational Women and Girls in Science
Each year, the IDWGS honours remarkable females who have significantly contributed to their fields. It would be impossible to mention all the inspirational women who have contributed to science, many of whom remain quietly working away in the background, sharing their research in academic journals and with colleagues within the peer review system. However, there are some who have pushed beyond the glass ceiling more prominently for their inspirational work and for how they have paid forward their knowledge, experience and passion to younger generations of females from all walks of life.
Rosalind Franklin
As mentioned above, Franklin’s X-ray crystallography work was critical to understanding the structure of DNA. Her meticulous efforts at King’s College London led to one of the most famous scientific images of all time – Photograph 51 – the crucial piece of evidence that revealed DNA’s double-helix structure.
Photo credit: By Raymond Gosling – King’s College London Archives: KDBP1/1/867. Taken from “The double helix: “Photo 51” revisited” by Thoru Pederson (https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202000119), Public Domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38068629
Apart from the issue of credit misappropriation by Watson and Crick’s collective ‘Eureka’ moment in 1953, history has since corrected its course (somewhat). Today, Franklin is rightly celebrated as a pivotal figure in molecular biology, and her contributions have been given the recognition they deserve. Her story has been immortalised in books and plays and even in the form of an asteroid named in her honour.
Her perseverance and dedication to science paved the way for future generations of women in genetics and molecular biology.
Marie Curie
No list would be complete without mentioning Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two scientific fields (physics and chemistry). Her groundbreaking research on radioactivity certainly had a way to light up a room and has saved countless lives while continuing to influence scientific research today.
Marie Curie was a trailblazer in science and a strong advocate for women in STEM, actively supporting and mentoring other female scientists.
Curie strongly believed in education for women, having overcome significant barriers herself. She co-founded the Radium Institute (now Curie Institute) in Paris in 1914, which became a major centre for scientific research and provided opportunities for women to pursue careers in physics, chemistry, and medicine. Many female researchers trained under her guidance, including:
- Marguerite Perey, who later discovered the element ‘francium’, became the first female member of the French Academy of Sciences.
- Irène Joliot-Curie, her daughter, who followed in her footsteps and, alongside her husband Frédéric Joliot-Curie, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1935 for their work on artificial radioactivity.
As the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, Curie shattered long-standing gender biases in science. She was the first female professor at the University of Paris and paved the way for future generations of women to enter academia and research.
Marie Curie didn’t just open the door for women in science; she built a foundation for them to excel. Her influence still resonates today, proving that scientific brilliance knows no gender.
Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell
Photo credit: By Launch_of_IYA_2009,_Paris_-_Grygar,_Bell_Burnell.jpg: Astronomical Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republicderivative work: Anrie (talk) – Launch_of_IYA_2009,_Paris_-_Grygar,_Bell_Burnell.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9988968
Despite discovering pulsars (rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit pulses of radiation), Bell Burnell’s male colleagues received a Nobel Prize for this endeavour, whilst this accolade evaded her. When her PhD supervisor won the prize for the work Bell Burnell had achieved, she said, with characteristic grace:
‘The picture people had was that big men get Nobel Prizes and little women do the work.’ [5]
The universe, however, decided it was time to make amends, and in 2018, she was awarded the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics of £2.3 million for her contributions to astronomy. Bell Burnell didn’t keep the fortune she had won; she didn’t even retire or buy a coveted yacht. Instead, she donated every penny to fund scholarships through the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund for underrepresented groups in physics in the UK and Ireland – a true inspiration in her field and humanity. To this day, she remains a figure of enormous significance in astrophysics.
The Breakthrough Prize, often called the ‘Oscars of Science’, is funded by tech billionaires to reward groundbreaking discoveries. In Bell Burnell’s case, it was also seen as a long-overdue recognition of her pioneering work.
Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Photo credit: By Southbank Centre – Women and Power: Baroness Shirley Williams and Maggie Aderin-Pocock, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=121473763
If you’ve ever thought of space as being a little bit far out there, think again. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, the brilliant British scientist, is here to remind us that the universe isn’t so much ‘out there’ as it is ‘right here’, to be seen through the eye of a telescope. From the lofty heights of NASA to being a household name in the UK, Aderin-Pocock has had a career that most of us can only dream about.
Her list of accomplishments in space science is long, impressive, and far too unassuming for someone who’s essentially made a career out of being a real-life space explorer. She has worked on numerous space missions, including designing instruments for NASA’s Mars Rover. Her expertise in optical engineering has led to advances in satellite technology that help keep us all informed, whether it’s through weather forecasting or global communications.
She also actively promotes diversity in the sciences, especially encouraging young women and minorities to pursue STEM careers. In fact, she’s a big advocate for using science to show how people from all backgrounds can make a difference –after all, the universe doesn’t discriminate. Aderin-Pocock founded Science Innovation Ltd, which provides interactive science experiences for schools and the public. She has also co-presented the BBC’s The Sky at Night.
Malala Yousafzai
Photo credit: By Bair175 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37272291
Malala Yousafzai needs no introduction, but let’s do it anyway – because it’s inspiring to talk about someone who made history before most of us could even manage to pick a decent university course. Born in Pakistan in 1997, Malala became a global icon not for just being a teenage schoolgirl but for standing up to one of the world’s most repressive regimes, bravely advocating for girls’ education, and then … getting shot in the head by the Taliban. She survived, became a Nobel Prize laureate, and has continued to inspire millions ever since.
While primarily known for her advocacy for girls’ education, Malala’s story powerfully reminds us of the importance of education in empowering women and girls to pursue careers in science. Her courage and unwavering commitment to education continue to inspire millions worldwide.
Honouring the Future
Across the globe, initiatives and movements are working tirelessly to bridge the gender gap, championing female role models, mentorship, and policies that foster inclusivity. Here in the UK, the Athena SWAN Charter is a prime example, recognising and supporting advancements in gender equality across higher education and research. These efforts ensure that women and girls not only enter scientific fields but thrive within them. [6].
The Athena SWAN Charter is a framework established in 2005 by the UK’s Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) to promote gender equality in higher education and research, particularly in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). It has since expanded to cover all disciplines and professional roles, focusing on improving diversity and inclusion across academia.
The Charter helps institutions to:
- Identify and address gender inequality within their policies, structures, and culture.
- Develop action plans to create a more inclusive environment for women and underrepresented groups.
- Encourage career progression by addressing barriers such as work-life balance, recruitment bias, and leadership opportunities.
- Recognise and reward progress through a tiered award system (Bronze, Silver, and Gold).
The Charter has notably benefited universities, research institutes, and medical schools across the UK, Ireland, and beyond. Some key examples include:
- The University of Oxford – One of the first institutions to hold a Gold departmental award, recognising its outstanding efforts in gender equality within STEMM.
- Imperial College London – A leader in promoting gender balance in engineering and physics, where women have historically been underrepresented.
- The University of Edinburgh – A strong advocate for inclusive policies, particularly in medical and life sciences faculties.
- The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) – Implemented flexible working policies and career development initiatives that significantly improved gender representation in senior research positions.
While progress has been made, the Charter continues to evolve, tackling broader issues such as intersectionality, race equality, and LGBTQ+ inclusion in academia.
Final thoughts…
As we celebrate the brilliant women and girls shaping the world of science on this IDWGS 2025 anniversary, we raise a toast to the pioneers of the past, the innovators of today, and the trailblazers of tomorrow. Progress towards gender equality in science is far from a completed journey, but every step forward is a testament to the remarkable women who have paved the way and those who have yet to make their mark.
However, there is still work to be done. The IDWGS is not just a celebration but a call to action – a reminder that true equality requires continued commitment. So, here’s to the past, present, and future women in science. May their curiosity never wane, their discoveries never cease, and their grace remain firmly intact.
References
[1] https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/2025-international-day-women-and-girls-science
[2] https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1700616114
[4] https://uis.unesco.org/en/topic/women-science
[5] https://www.ft.com/content/50fbb7c0-3723-46d2-9a3a-94d774162f39
[6] https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/equality-charters/athena-swan-charter