Announcing the Art X Science Conversations: A Webinar on Equity in STEM
September 19th | 17:30 CET | Online
We are excited to introduce a new webinar series titled "Art X Science Conversations," presented by Emerging Creatives of Science (ECOS) and The Experimentalist. This series is designed to delve into some of the most pressing and unresolved issues in science today, bringing together creative minds to brainstorm innovative solutions.
Our first session, "Equity in STEM: Creative Solutions for Overcoming Gender-Based Challenges," will be held virtually on Thursday, September 19, at 17:30 CET. We invite everyone, regardless of gender, to join this important conversation. Gender-based discrimination in science and other workplaces is not just a women's issue; it impacts all of us. By fostering an inclusive dialogue, we aim to raise awareness and explore actionable steps toward creating a more equitable environment in STEM fields.
Webinar Focus: Navigating the Challenges and Perks of Being Women Leaders in Science
The inaugural session will focus on the experiences of women in science, shedding light on the gender-based discrimination they face and the unique challenges of leadership roles. Despite advancements, significant barriers persist in 2024, from insufficient research grants for caregivers to the disproportionate assignment of administrative tasks to women faculty members. These systemic biases contribute to the "leaky pipeline" phenomenon, where women leave academia at higher rates than men, even though more women graduate from university.
Join Our Global Panel of Experts
We are bringing together panelists from diverse regions to share their experiences and insights. Among our confirmed speakers are
Dr. Gili Freedman, Associate Professor in Psychology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Aashima Freidog and Nandita Jayaraj, the authors of Labhopping.
Why This Conversation Matters?
Our goal is to bring gender inequality in science to the forefront and collaboratively identify creative solutions as science communicators. This issue affects all countries and disciplines, and solving it requires global, collective action. We believe that by sharing stories, experiences, and innovative ideas, we can contribute to breaking down the barriers that continue to hold women back in STEM fields.
How to Participate?
We encourage everyone interested in the intersection of art, science, and equity to join us. This conversation is a space to share, learn, and develop strategies that can lead to meaningful change.
About the organizers
Melissa Pappas is a former marine scientist who turned to science communication to combine her love of art and science stories. She founded ECOS in 2018 and relaunched it at the end of 2023 as a full-service creative science communication agency and community for SciArtists around the world.
Eisha Mhatre is a scientist, science writer, and the founder of the science communication platform, The Experimentalist. She obtained her PhD in Microbiology from Friedrich Schiller University Jena. After a brief postdoc at the University of Pittsburgh, she discovered her true calling in #scicomm and fostering interdisciplinary discussions within and outside academia. She is passionate about making science accessible and inspiring by showcasing the creative process behind science through her writings, workshops, and outreach initiatives.
Anurag Srivastava is a molecular medicine scientist turned science communicator. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Turin, Italy, and his master’s from the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. Anurag has been a vocal advocate for improving academic culture and has actively addressed its challenges. His essays on the subject have been among the most read in Science and were shortlisted for the Science Communication Prize by The Cancer Researchers.
About ECOS
Emerging Creatives of Science (ECOS) is an international community of scientists, artists, and storytellers collaboratively communicating science in engaging ways. From scientific illustrators, poets, performance artists, and more, each member has creative talents and a background in science, either from their own education or from their multiple years of experience working with scientists. We get science, and we know how to inject creativity into the communication of it to make it more inclusive and welcoming.