Research from The United Nations for 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). 

 Imke de Pater is a Professor in the Astronomy Department and the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley. She began her career observing and modeling Jupiter’s synchrotron radiation, followed by detailed investigations of the planet’s thermal radio emission. Currently, she is exploiting adaptive optics techniques in the infrared range to obtain high angular resolution data of bodies in our Solar System. 

How did you get into science? 

Imke de Pater: I loved math, physics and biology in high school, and got really hooked on astronomy when my math teacher gave me a book about astronomy. 

What’s it like to be a woman in STEM? 

Imke de Pater: A few decades ago, I was one of very few women, which had advantages (everyone knew you) and disadvantages (yeah, women were definitely not equal to their male peers). 

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

Imke de Pater: If you like math, physics and computer science, STEM is the field for you. Choose a direction that suits your abilities best: experimental, data science, theory, observing, field work… to name a few. 

If you like math, physics and computer science, STEM is the field for you.

Imke de Pater

Imke de Pater is a co-author of Fundamental Planetary Science; a quantitative introduction to the Solar System and planetary systems science for advanced undergraduate students. This engaging textbook explains the wide variety of physical, chemical and geological processes that govern the motions and properties of planets. The authors provide an overview of our current knowledge and discuss some of the unanswered questions at the forefront of research in planetary science and astrobiology today.  

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 

Want to read more from our inspirational female authors? 

Access our Free Read Collection where we’re offering access to sample book chapters and journals articles in a vast range of STEM subject areas, and help us raise awareness in the best way we know how: by reading and making research accessible.  

Resources will be available from today, with more content coming as we build up to International Women’s Day on 8th March.