Women’s Representation in PCC

On March 7th, 2025, PCC Assistant Professor Joice Kaschuk co-organized the second edition of the Feminist Talk Show at Impulse Speakers Corner. The event was part of the Feminist Festival, a collaborative initiative between local organizations in Wageningen and WUR to honor International Women’s Day, fostering dialogue on gender equality and empowerment.

During the event, the struggle for equal rights, opportunities, and access to resources, regardless of gender, was extensively discussed. The speakers and audience shared stories of the women who inspired them, their challenges, and their visions for gender equality. Additionally, key discussion points included motherhood and career challenges, with reflections on how caregiving responsibilities disproportionately affect women, often shaping their career choices and work-life balance. The conversation also emphasized the importance of male allies in gender equality, highlighting the need for shared responsibility in dismantling gender biases. Additionally, participants underscored the urgency of educational reforms to address gender stereotypes and create safe spaces for open discussions. Gender biases in academia were also a critical topic, with speakers sharing experiences of lack of respect in supervisory roles and being recognized more for their appearance than their expertise. Actionable suggestions were proposed to drive tangible change, such as providing hygiene products on campus and integrating discussions on gender differences in educational settings. Overall, the event fostered a thoughtful and empowering conversation, encouraging reflection and concrete steps toward gender equality.

The event also featured Sophie van Lange, a PhD candidate from PCC, who had just submitted her thesis and participated as a speaker. She shared valuable insights on women’s representation in physics and soft matter research, highlighting the challenges and progress in these traditionally male-dominated fields. An accomplished researcher, Sophie has made significant contributions to the study of compleximers, earning recognition through awards at prestigious conferences and events. Her dedication and excellence in the field underscore the importance of fostering greater inclusivity and visibility for women in science.