Is it possible to balance science, motherhood, and an international career? Yes – if you are ready to take a path that is challenging but also inspiring. Dr. Milena Seržantė, who began her academic journey at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), is now the Director of the Strategic Partnership Center, teaches, conducts international research, and actively promotes science on social media.
Her story is not only about personal dedication to knowledge, but also about inspiring the younger generation – especially women in science. In this interview, she speaks openly about the challenges she faced, her achievements, and her vision for the future of science in Lithuania.
– How did your career as a researcher begin? What position do you hold now?
– I started my research career while still studying at the university. You could say I have been at VILNIUS TECH since my first year as a bachelor’s student. After completing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, I continued with doctoral studies at VILNIUS TECH, where I defended my first PhD. Later, I studied at the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, where I earned a second PhD.
Currently, I am the Director of the Strategic Partnership Center at VILNIUS TECH, Associate Professor at the Department of Engineering Economics, and I teach at the Faculty of Business Management. I also continue my research. At the moment, I am completing a postdoctoral fellowship, which included research at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok.
– Was your path as a researcher difficult? Many women say that female researchers in Lithuania face challenges, especially when combining science and motherhood.
– Yes, the path was not easy. During my doctoral studies, both in Lithuania and Sweden, I had a young daughter. I remember nights when she would finally fall asleep around midnight, and then I would sit down to write my dissertation until three or four in the morning. During the day it was almost impossible to find time. Sometimes she would wake up very early, at seven or eight in the morning. Those were really tough nights, but my family supported me a lot. Their help was invaluable. I believe that for women in science, strong support from loved ones – both at home and at work – is essential.
– Why do you think it is important to promote science in Lithuania (and beyond)? What does it give to people and to society?
– Science is the engine of progress. By promoting science, we foster an innovative society, nurture curiosity, and encourage critical thinking. Today, social media plays a huge role in our world. In the past, if you were active on social media while representing a serious profession, you could face criticism or even bullying. But times have changed. Now I can say with confidence that every job offer or interview invitation I received was thanks to my visibility on social media. The offers were very diverse – from vice-dean to presidential advisor.
I spend a lot of time on social media, especially Instagram. There I try to make the researcher’s profession more visible by showing everyday life: what we do, how we start our mornings, what problems we solve, the meetings we attend, even what we eat, how we laugh, and how we deal with difficulties. Interestingly, even though my work is quite specific, I have built a large following on Instagram.
– What are the current trends in science communication in Lithuania? Are there enough publications in Lithuanian to make science more accessible?
– Lithuania still has room to grow in this field. In recent years, more scientific publications and popular science initiatives have appeared, but the demand for accessible sources in Lithuanian is still high. It is crucial that scientific innovations reach as wide an audience as possible and are presented through different channels – social media like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, as well as television and radio.
At the university, we work to highlight professions needed in business and to promote scientific research, but this could be done on a larger scale. Scientists are not always the best managers of their own careers. That is why they need communication specialists who can help them speak about science and their research topics clearly and confidently.
– What do you think about the future of science in Lithuania? Are the numbers of young researchers growing or declining?
– In my view, the future of science in Lithuania looks promising. According to EU statistics, the number of young researchers here is growing. For example, Lithuania is among the leaders in the share of women researchers and engineers. Women make up 52% of all researchers and engineers in the country. This shows positive trends in the science and technology sector, including the increasing presence of young scientists.
I also want to point out that when I was President of the Lithuanian Young Scientists’ Union, we achieved an important step – increasing scholarships for researchers. Financial incentives matter a lot. Higher scholarships became an additional motivation for young people to choose doctoral studies, and that means pursuing a career in research. In the past, scholarships for PhD students were around 300–400 euros, but now they are much higher. In addition, there are many research projects and funding opportunities, such as postdoctoral fellowships, which help young researchers integrate more easily into their academic careers. It is important to keep encouraging young people to choose science by providing them with the right tools and support from their very first years of study.
– How do you see yourself in science 10 or even 20 years from now?
– In 10 or 20 years, I hope to be an even more experienced researcher – one who not only contributes to the development of my field, but also actively participates in promoting science and mentoring young scientists. I want my work to have a real impact on society and to help solve important problems. And today, I have a very simple and down-to-earth dream – to finally achieve the title of Professor.
– And one last question: what would you like to wish the authors of the first issue of Veritas magazine?
– I wish the authors of the first issue of Veritas plenty of creativity and inspiration! May your articles be engaging, informative, and reach a wide audience. Don’t be afraid to be bold, to be different, and to talk about things that might sometimes feel uncomfortable. After all, people are most drawn to what is new, fresh, and out of the ordinary. That is the best way to capture a reader’s attention. I wish you success in your noble mission!
Original source: Delfi.lt
