Women in Science

February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) are hosting a joint virtual event that will feature a film screening, a keynote lecture and a panel discussion. We want to examine and discuss what changes are needed to make science more diverse, equitable and inclusive.

A new technology platform at the Max Delbrück Center is using human stem cells to develop complex tissue cultures known as “organoids.” This enables researchers to gain a better understanding of disease processes by simulating them in 3D. Neuronal diseases will be modeled first and then other diseases.

The Käthe-Beutler-Haus of the BIH is currently being built on the Berlin-Buch campus - the Medizinhistorische Journal now reports on the life of the Jewish paediatrician, researcher and mother.

Only about 15 percent of Japanese researchers across all fields are women — about half the average proportion among OECD countries. All the more reason for an “all women speaker” symposium to highlight the achievements of female scientists and for a leadership training.

Jennifer Pocock from University College London spoke at the Elena Timoféeff Ressovsky lecture on 20 June 2019.

An ‘Edit-a-thon’ event, hosted among others by the MDC, celebrated International Women’s Day by improving diversity on Wikipedia pages. The MDC-produced ORION Open Science podcast was there to investigate what the challenges to diversity in science are and how the Open Science movement can help.

For the “International Day of Girls and Women in Science” on 11 February 2019, the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) presents ten video portraits of inspirational women scientists. Among them are four videos about scientists working at the MDC.

In late January, the Anti-Harassment Task Force started its work at the MDC. More than 50 employees from all areas and across all hierarchies will develop guidelines for respectful interaction. To mark the launch of the task force, we spoke with the project facilitator, Professor Sabine Oertelt-Prigione.

For eight years now, Dr. Christiane Nolte has been the Women’s Representative at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC). She is especially committed to increasing career opportunities, raising the profile of female scientists, and improving work-family balance.