2025-03-07
Women in Science: How to Break Stereotypes and Strive for Greatness?
March 8th, International Women’s Day, is a great opportunity to highlight female scientists who are changing the world. According to UNESCO data, women remain a minority in research globally—only about 1 in 3 researchers is female. While progress is slow, there is a slight increase in the number of female scientists worldwide. In 2023, women made up 31.7% of researchers, compared to 30.9% in 2011. In Lithuania, this figure is higher at 48.5%, yet gender equality in science is still progressing at a sluggish pace, potentially taking several more decades to achieve.
Recent data shows that although the representation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields is gradually increasing, it remains relatively low—women currently make up just 26% of the STEM workforce. Despite rapid sector growth and the creation of over 1 million new jobs in the past seven years, progress is still too slow to achieve gender parity. If current trends continue, equal representation of men and women in STEM is unlikely to be achieved before 2070.
While women are still underrepresented in technology, engineering, and logistics, their achievements in medicine, psychology, and social sciences are more widely recognized. Why is this the case, and how can change be encouraged? We discuss these questions with Professor Dr. Aurelija Burinskienė of VILNIUS TECH’s Faculty of Business Management—a researcher, educator, and leader in logistics innovation.
Women in Logistics Research: Challenges and Opportunities
Professor Dr. Aurelija Burinskienė is a professor at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) in the Faculty of Business Management and an expert in business logistics and technology applications. In addition to teaching and supervising research projects, she conducts scientific research and strengthens collaborations between academic institutions and businesses.
She also leads the international EU-funded "Horizon Europe" project X-HuLog4.0, which focuses on developing technology that benefits both consumers and employees across Europe.
One of her priorities is fostering stronger ties between academia and the business sector. The X-HuLog4.0 project, under her leadership, promotes Logistics 4.0—an approach that emphasizes the application of digital technologies and the enhancement of workforce competencies. This serves as a prime example of how science can directly contribute to business efficiency and innovation.
Despite their skills and achievements, women in technical fields still face stereotypes, self-doubt, and challenges in advancing their careers, says Professor Burinskienė. However, she firmly believes that a strong academic community, mentorship, and international projects can open new doors for women in science and technology.
"It is not only important to encourage women to choose studies in technology and logistics, but also to create an environment where they can fully develop their potential," she emphasizes.
The Key to Success: Determination and Persistence
For young female scientists aspiring to overcome these challenges and build successful careers in science or technology, Professor Burinskienė’s advice is clear: stay committed to your goals.
"I can share my own example—when I was a young researcher, I set a goal to become a professor. It took me just over ten years to achieve that," she says.
She also encourages young women to stay curious, actively seek out opportunities, participate in international projects, and reach out to fellow scientists for collaboration.
"Every day, women in science are discovering how technology is transforming the world. The more bold and ambitious leaders we have, the greater the opportunities for future generations," concludes Professor Burinskienė.
-
- Page administrators:
- Monika Daukintytė
- Ugnė Daraškevičiūtė
- Monika Daukintytė
