Speakers attending the Women's Careers and Networks Symposium 2023
- Group Leader at Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany
- Talk Title: Challenges for Women and Partners in Science – Dual-Career, Family, and the Fight for Visibility
Abstract - Entrepeneur & Expert for innovations in health care & Podcast host
- Talk Title: The Journey of Becoming a Successful Female Entrepreneur in the Healthcare Industry Abstract
- TU Braunschweig, Institute for Genetics, Virologist at HZI, Braunschweig, Germany
- Talk Title: Watershed Moments – How to Thrive for a Career in Science Abstract
- Entrepeneur & Consultant, Munich, Germany
- Talk Title: Yes, You Can – Dare to Explore New Paths Abstract
- Vice President, White Biotechnology R&D, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany
- Talk Title: Moving Between Disciplines as Scientist, Leader and Female
- Member of European Parliament
- Talk Title: Agriculture to Foreign Affairs – My Path Into Politics Abstract
- Head of the Electron Microscopy Facility, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras
Portugal & Consultant, hfp consulting, Heidelberg, Germany - Talk Title: From Canadian Farm Girl to NASA Scientist to Head of an Electron Microscopy Unit in Portugal – A Curiosity-Driven International Scientific Rollercoaster
Abstract - Research Associate at the Department of Neurogenetics and Head of the Electron Microscopy Group at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, Göttingen, Germany
- Talk Title: Closing Circles – Starting Biology Studies in Göttingen and Coming Back to Manage an Electron Microscopy Facility with Career Threatening Struggles in Between
Abstract
I will discuss the core challenges of public outreach in times of crisis, the daily challenges of fighting for visibility and for being taken seriously in science, and name the core moments where I had to decline attractive offers because of dual-career constraints.
Inga will cover various topics, including the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, strategies for overcoming these obstacles, and the role of female entrepreneurship in driving innovation and growth in the healthcare industry. She draws on her personal experiences as a successful female entrepreneur to provide insights and guidance to aspiring women entrepreneurs in the healthcare industry. Inga highlights the importance of mentorship, networking, and building a supportive community for female entrepreneurs to succeed. Overall, the keynote aims to inspire and empower women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams in the healthcare industry and create positive social and economic impact.
Following a career in science comes with a lot of uncertainties and important watershed moments – but if you are determined and convinced that this is the right path for you, you will succeed. I will reflect about the numerable watershed moments in my career, what kept me going (also in rough times such as a major pandemic), and my future ambitions.
In my talk, I will elaborate on the opportunities that can be seized when one thinks outside the box and dares to go unconventional ways – especially as female researcher, female entrepreneur and female leader. I will share examples of my personal experience as well as insights from research and history.
Driven by revealing the secrets of nature, my curious mind brought me along the way from chemistry, ecology, genetics, agronomy to biotechnology. However being an “intermediate” scientist, comes along with doubts about the own value and strength of expertise. Moreover, during my journey I realized how much joy I have working with people, developing talents and built divers, resilient and adaptive teams. With a bigger leadership role, not only responsibility, but also jealousy and competition is rising creating personal frictions. In my talk, I will share how I followed my inner compass, how I deal with dilemmas and my approach to reconcile them.
Much like policy, career paths are ever changing and evolving.Good policy-makers consider all angles of an issue, looking towards the future, finding solutions to problems created by varying circumstances - just like scientists. So being a good scientist can be a starting point to be a great policy maker.
The different career paths and opportunities for women scientists outside of research and academia should not be underestimated. From policy makers, researchers for the parliament, for NGOs or think-tanks. Ms von Cramon will share insights into her path from Bielefeld to Brussels, how her agricultural studies help her today as an MEP, what sparked her interest in policy, and what it was like starting as a young mother in a field dominated and made for men.
On paper my career journey looks structured, intentional and full of adventure. Success seems to have come easily. But the reality was different. I have been the recipient of more “skinny envelopes” then I can count.A skinny envelop always has the same letter: “Thank-you for your application, we did not select you, but we wish you luck in your career”. I have come second for many prizes, grants, and job applications. I have had many moments of self-doubt. I frequently experience a sense of failure and a fear of the unknown. Many things are out of my control. But my proactive, positive mindset helps me to keep moving forward towards my goals. Excitement over the work I get to do every day, and my constant curiosity for new things is my best fuel. I cannot predict the future and I do not know where I will be in two or three years, but I am sure it will be doing something I enjoy because I have the power to make that happen. My talk will be about this journey and you will have the opportunity to ask all the questions you want!
Looking back to my career path nothing seems planned properly. I was more or less washed on different shores by seizing opportunities as they arise. However, the CV looks fine only lacking all the awards and honors you normally find on PIs CVs. I will tell the stories behind the official CV, the struggles, the worries to fail and the organizational maneuvers to combine the joy of research with the realities of family life. And how I learned that there are limits you cannot ignore. Maybe sometimes it would have been useful to be prepared, but maybe this was not the plan. In the end I made it and we can chat about what was important on the way.
Please note that the talk by Dr. Sarah Adio unfortunately cannot take place.