Research from The United Nations for the 2023 International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGIS) reveals that women represent 33.3% of all researchers. 

In support of IDWGIS 2023, we are highlighting a selection of our female authors and editors in the hope that more women and girls will be inspired to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

Dame Anna Dominiczak is Regius Professor of Medicine at University of Glasgow. Dominiczak, the first woman to hold the position, is also a world-leading cardiovascular scientist and clinical academic who has over 400 publications in peer-revied journals. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the Cambridge Prisms: Precision Medicine journal.  

How did you get into science?

Dame Anna Dominiczak: I decided to study medicine mid-way through my high school. Studying medicine was exciting and interesting, I understood early that I would like to study deeply a few subjects and that academic medicine was the best way to do so. 

How has the world of STEM changed during your career, and have attitudes toward women changed?

Dame Anna Dominiczak: Things have improved a lot, I think conditions at work have improved for all, not just for women. There is a proper mentorship, part-time training is available to all. Young colleagues are not expected to work 100 hours per week, and families and children are accepted as part of normal life of any young academic. Very importantly, there is much more sharing of parental duties, I think this helps a lot. 

What advice do you have for younger women?

Dame Anna Dominiczak: I think young women should follow their dreams; be the best they can be in their chosen careers. Women are great doctors, great scientists, and great academics. Just go for it.  

Can you provide one sentence that gives advice to female researchers starting their careers in STEM?

Dame Anna Dominiczak: The career in STEM, and especially in academic medicine, is the most exciting and rewarding career I know. It needs ambitions, hard work, and realistic planning on how to combine work and family, but it is worth it. 

Have you worked on or are you planning any initiatives to support this sustainable development goal?

Dame Anna Dominiczak: My work in Scottish Government includes sustainable and equitable development, for example, we have developed an end-to-end innovation pathway to bring transformative innovation to our NHS. This work includes careful consideration of working towards the net zero agenda and making sure we include all communities, including those hard to reach. 

The career in STEM, and especially in academic medicine, is the most exciting and rewarding career I know.

Dame Anna Dominiczak

Dame Anna Dominiczak Editor in Chief of the Cambridge Prisms: Precision Medicine journal.  The Cambridge Prisms series address real-world challenges with an interdisciplinary ethos. Precision Medicine, is an approach to maximise the effectiveness of disease treatment and prevention by considering variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle. It seeks to redefine our understanding of disease onset and progression, treatment response, and health outcomes.  

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International Day of Women and Girls in Science   

This week we celebrate the eighth International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11). Beyond fostering a balanced and fair environment for our aspiring women and girls, why is it so vital that we foster gender equality and equity in science?  

This year, the United Nations, which hosts the annual event, contemplates another dimension to articulating meaningful change in STEM industries. Their goals for 2030 provide inspirational agenda that encourages sustainable and equitable development across five key areas:  

•  Clean water and sanitation
• Affordable and clean energy
• Industries, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• Sustainable and Inclusive Communities and Cities
• Revitalize the Partnerships for the goals

Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.’ United Nations 

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Want to read more from our inspirational female authors? 

Access our Free Read Collection here, which includes access to selected book chapters and journal articles in STEM, and help us celebrate IDWGIS the best way we know how by reading!

Meet Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak: Editor-in-Chief of Cambridge Prisms: Precision Medicine