STEM passion photography exhibition - ARCH Closing Conference and FEBS workshop on the Molecular and Cellular Pathways of Aging in Hematopoiesis.
Heraklion, 3-7 May, 2023
Panel 1.
STEM passion. A journey inspired by Women in Science.
This is a journey into the Life Sciences through the gaze of female scientists. It is inspired by Women in Science
and by the idea that there are no fixed formulas for being a scientist.
It is about encounters that reveal passion,
scientific excellence
and humanity.
This project wishes to bring women scientists in the spotlight, as their important contributions are still often overlooked. I've met many of them during my time in academic scientific research. This inspired me to start to portrait and interview leading female scientists in the field of the Life Sciences, working in renowned universities and international research institutions. Unique as they are, as their paths are different, I am fascinated by how women collectively contribute to science and to a better future. Each of them can be an example which others, especially the youth, can relate to and be inspired by.
WOMEN ARE A VITAL DRIVING FORCE OF SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS AND AN IMMENSE RESOURCE IN STEM . In the Life Sciences, more than 50% of graduate and doctoral students are women. However, many of them gradually abandon their scientific career; ONLY 15-20% BECOME PROFESSORS and reach decision-making positions(sources: UNESCO Women in Science; EU She Figures 2021). Just one-third (33,3%) of the world’s researchers are women (source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics). In Italy, only 18,9% of students choose bachelor courses in scientific disciplines (source: Almalaurea 2021). These numbers raised awareness in academia and the entrepreneurial world, sparking projects aimed at increasing the representation and participation of women in STEM and leadership positions.
Despite efforts, prejudices and stereotypes related to the image of scientists persist. THE VISIBILITY OF STEM WOMEN IN THE MEDIA IS LOW, with an interview share of 25-29%, and the citation rate is half that of men, even in scientific journalism (Source: Nature, 2021). This journey wishes to make the stories and achievements of women in STEM more visible to the general public, with the intent of INCREASING ATTENTION TO WOMEN’S SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP IN SCIENCE and continuing to inspire diversity in the public image of scientists. With this aim, since 2019 I have photographed and interviewed over forty-five female scientists working in different roles in international research institutions.
Every day researchers encounter new challenges, which stimulate their curiosity and passion, sparking their DESIRE TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF KNOWLEDGE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. In this, for me, lies the beauty of doing science. I wish STEM passion to be AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS to pursue careers in science and particularly for women to become leaders in science.
Panel 2. THE JOURNEY I visited twenty one biomedical research centers in nine countries, traveling mostly alone, with my camera and smartphone as a recorder. I was therefore very happy when Claudia Cagliano accompanied me to a few appointments, enriching our experience and further deepening the themes of the interviews. Meeting researchers outside of research facilities in places that are meaningful to them seemed to me to be the most authentic way of grasping, in addition to their professional side, some hidden and unknown component of their human side and personality. I discovered their passion not only for science, but also for nature, art, history, the most diverse and adventurous sports, or simply the daily well-being experienced in the private and familiar context of their homes, by collaborating with them on the photographic setting and listening to their stories. During the journey, I became increasingly convinced that these scientists' findings should be acknowledged and made known to the general public. Indeed, they contribute to recent biomedical breakthroughs, such as gene therapy for hereditary genetic diseases, cell therapies using stem cells in regenerative medicine, the production of human mini-organs as models for researching diseases and testing novel drugs, and new cancer therapies.
This journey has also highlighted some of the MANY PROFESSIONAL PATHS THAT ONE CAN PURSUE AFTER OBTAINING SCIENCE DEGREES, as well as the critical contribution that everyone, at any level, can make to knowledge advancement. As a researcher, I found myself in an unusual role, not always easy to take on. Likewise, I imagine it must not have been easy to stand on the other side, posing in front of my lens. The results were special encounters, with situations that were also very funny. I was touched by the openness and trust with which I was received, even when the project was in its infancy. It was a pleasure and an honor to meet each of these extraordinary scientists. I am delighted to bring these powerful stories and discoveries to the attention of the public throughout the international STEM passion exhibition tour. A huge thank you goes to all the researchers who participated and all the people who, in many ways, including those outside the scientific community, enthusiastically supported this project and made its realization possible.
Elisabetta Citterio. Author of STEM passion.
ELISABETTA CITTERIO is a molecular biologist and photographer. Her studies focus on the molecular mechanisms that ensure the stability of the genome, a crucial factor in fighting tumors. Alongside scientific research, she loves exploring the world through photography: for her a wonderful opportunity to connect with people and to reveal the beauty in each of us. She is interested in the transformative power of individuals and society. She graduated in Biology from the University of Milan and holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam. She directed research projects in international institutes in the Netherlands andItaly. She is an elected member of AcademiaNet. Currently, she is a visiting researcher at the University of Milano-Bicocca. She studied photography at Fotogram in Amsterdam and Il Diaframma in Milan with Giuliana Traverso (Donna Fotografa).
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Panel 3.
“You can’t be what you can’t see.” Marian Wright Edelman - Founder and President of the Children's Defense Fund
STEM passion grew out of a shared vision: the desire to build a future with a fair and EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN in STEM disciplines through storytelling.
Societal transformation towards SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, EQUITY, PEACE, and HUMAN PROGRESS, requires putting GENDER EQUALITY AT THE VERY HEART, as a FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT and not merely a goal to aspire to. Furthermore, it necessitates drawing on the talents of all citizens, allowing every person to define themselves as a "human being", beyond any expectations related to gender. Gender should be neither an advantage nor an impediment in following your own life’s journey and in finding personal fulfillment.
By celebrating the scientific excellence of women, STEM passion supports the UNITED NATIONS’ SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL N. 5, which aims to achieve GENDER EQUALITY and empower all women and girls. In this context, WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT can be viewed as developing GREATER STRENGTH, SELF-ESTEEM, and AWARENESS OF ONE’S OWN POTENTIAL.
The project intends to have a social impact on future generations of women, in line with NEXTGen EU. STEM passion aims to provide young women with successful FEMALE ROLE MODELS as a source of inspiration, thereby defeating gender stereotypes.
We wish to impact personal and educational choices by changing beliefs, raising aspirations, and encouraging girls and young women to explore STEM career paths. The purpose is to encourage girls to study science to acquire the SKILLS NECESSARY TO FOSTER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGES IN THE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN and in our own life and work.
In our view, one of the main obstacles to cultural change is the representation of women in the media, which influences our perception of reality and affects the lifestyles we adopt.
The scientific world, in particular, has until very recently been represented in one-sided and discriminating ways. By portraying role models that are not representative of today's society, the media conveyed gender stereotypes that have proven difficult to eradicate, and have ultimately hindered new attitudes and behaviors.
Gender differences, often imposed by cultural norms, are experienced as a limitation linked to gender roles and presumed innate behaviors: both women and men are trapped and caged in culturally defined roles.
By celebrating the scientific excellence of women, STEM passion supports the UNITED NATIONS’ SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL N. 5, which aims to achieve GENDER EQUALITY and empower all women and girls. In this context, WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT can be viewed as developing GREATER STRENGTH, SELF-ESTEEM, and AWARENESS OF ONE’S OWN POTENTIAL.
The project intends to have a social impact on future generations of women, in line with NEXTGen EU. STEM passion aims to provide young women with successful FEMALE ROLE MODELS as a source of inspiration, thereby defeating gender stereotypes.
We wish to impact personal and educational choices by changing beliefs, raising aspirations, and encouraging girls and young women to explore STEM career paths. The purpose is to encourage girls to study science to acquire the SKILLS NECESSARY TO FOSTER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGES IN THE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN and in our own life and work.
In our view, one of the main obstacles to cultural change is the representation of women in the media, which influences our perception of reality and affects the lifestyles we adopt.
The scientific world, in particular, has until very recently been represented in one-sided and discriminating ways. By portraying role models that are not representative of today's society, the media conveyed gender stereotypes that have proven difficult to eradicate, and have ultimately hindered new attitudes and behaviors.
Gender differences, often imposed by cultural norms, are experienced as a limitation linked to gender roles and presumed innate behaviors: both women and men are trapped and caged in culturally defined roles.
Claudia Cagliano. STEM passion project’s co-author.
CLAUDIA CAGLIANO is a lecturer and communication consultant. She is an adjunct professor at IED – European Design Institute and at Holden Academy Course, the first European university in Writing and Contemporary Humanities, in Turin. She is a member of Pubblicità Progresso Foundation’s Athena Network. She deals with issues related to sustainable development and social innovation, female empowerment in particular. She is interested in investigating the relationship between communication, media and the creation of gender stereotypes and bias. Graduated in Philosophy at the Catholic University of Milan, with a specialization in Communication, and she holds a master's degree in Corporate Communication from UPA Ca' Foscari in Venice. She has worked as Project Manager and Strategist in international advertising agencies. She has also developed managerial training and group coaching activities.
STEM passion SOUNDS
When asked to create a sound design for STEM passion, I instinctively felt I had to give Elisabetta Citterio’s portraits a voice, enhancing and expanding the “photographic gesture.” STEM passion highlights the scientists participating in the project as well as, in a wider sense, the fundamental contribution of women in scientific research, a field that is still perceived as primarily male. Elisabetta Citterio traveled the world interviewing and photographing women who dedicate their lives to their greatest passion: science. I thought it would be emblematic to ask these scientists to “declare their passion” for science through a short voice message in their native languages. As soon as I received these messages, I decided to integrate them into STEM passion’s sound design as part of the installation. The architecture of the exhibition space, its minimalism, and its visual cleanness inspired and guided me in composing and creating clean and minimal soundscapes, making room for the voices of these women andtheir passion for science. The scientist’s voices have become “sonic snapshots”, fragments of a world that needs and deserves to be fully unveiled.
Andrea Pozzoli. Composer, artistic producer, and sound designer.