Women in Science: Lena John
diesen Beitrag auf Deutsch lesen
The blog series âWomen in Scienceâ introduces women from the TIB who give insights into their careers and personal experiences in science. Lena John studied Computer Science at Leibniz University Hannover and is now working as a PhD Student in Data Science & Digital Libraries at TIB. There she works on the curation of research knowledge graphs and the evolution of knowledge representation.
In this interview, she talks about the fascinating mix of her work as a PhD student, about allies, and the shared responsibility of everyone working in science for achieving equality.
Lena John // Photo: private
What fascinates you about working in science?
Every day can be different. New opportunities or approaches are constantly emerging and I want to make the most of them or give them a go. My work ranges from publishing scientific articles, to supervising students to working in a team or developing a software service.
I like the fact that all these areas are about solving problems, whilst also having the freedom to test unconventional methods. Soft skills are also relevant here, for example when presenting research findings or guiding students. I particularly enjoy this mix of domain-specific depth, collaboration and the opportunity to learn new things, both academically and personally.
As a woman in science, what would you have liked to have known earlier?
Women are still under-represented in computer science in particular, and existing structures continue to contribute to this imbalance. I have heard from female colleagues who have been confronted with sexist comments at conferences and I have also had negative experiences during my own studies at university. I think there is still a lot that needs to be done to bring about change, and this requires everyoneâs contribution.
There are many allies out there; we just need to find them. I am lucky enough to work in a very open, progressive team where sexism has no place. It is a very pleasant environment when men also actively participate in promoting equality. This shows me that things can be different and how important it is for everyone to take joint responsibility for creating such spaces.
What advice would you give to girls and young women who are considering a career in science?
Have confidence in yourselves. Unfortunately, women are often socialised to hold back. Thatâs why my advice is to have more confidence in yourselves and trust in your own abilities. âThe academic worldâ can seem intimidating at first, but much of it is just a façade, as itâs very much about presenting yourself and your research in the best light.
I would also highly recommend building a network of like-minded people early on. This makes many things easier and allows for honest dialogue in challenging situations. It can also be very helpful to seek out role models or find mentors who can guide and encourage you on your journey.
A wish for the future of women and girls in science âŚ
Essentially, what I hope for science is what I hope for society as a whole: equality, a better reconciliation of work and family life, and the elimination of prejudice.
At the same time, I would hope that, in the long term, we will no longer need to make such a strong distinction between âwomen in scienceâ and others, but will instead see people as a natural part of the scientific community, regardless of their gender. Particularly in fields such as computer science, this would also mean that being a woman is no longer something exceptional, but simply the norm.
Women in science â a blog series
The blog series âWomen in Scienceâ introduces women at TIB who provide insights into their scientific careers, role models and experiences from their everyday working lives. They all share their perspectives and wishes for the future of science and encourage other women to take their place with confidence.
#WomenInScience #LizenzCCBY40INT #DataScience #Research
Starry Time Podcast
Sandra Niemeyer
Helmholtz Metadata Collab.
Headlines Africa
universeinthelab_en
universeinthelab
RDN
European Physical Society(EPS)
