International Women’s Day — Sciences, féminin pluriel

Feb 29, 2024, from 18:00 until 21:00, EPFL, Forum Rolex

On Thursday 29 February 2024, on the occasion of International Women's Day a few days later, EPFL is organising an event on the theme: "Sciences, feminine plural - How women can invest in science and technology". The aim of the conference is to highlight the careers of women in technical fields, to inform and discuss the role of EPFL and other players in advancing equality for women in these fields, and to network. MARVEL will be present with a booth presenting its actions for equal opportunities as well as the #NCCRWomen campaign.

Although the representation of female students at EPFL has increased over the last ten years — now reaching 30% — many challenges remain in terms of access for girls and women to scientific studies and careers. How can we promote diversity in science and technology and attract more women? At this conference, we will take stock of the situation and explore the main obstacles, benefits and practical solutions for changing this paradigm. A round table discussion bringing together alumnae, students and professors from EPFL will address topics such as the importance of inspiring and shaping the imagination from childhood, breaking down gender stereotypes and capitalising on sisterhood. EPFL's various initiatives to attract more women to scientific studies from an early age will also be presented with a zoom in on the Coding Club for Girls, one of EPFL's flagship initiatives launched in 2018 aimed at young girls aged 11 to 16 to address these issues.

At the end of the conference, the whole audience is invited to discuss and network over an aperitif and visit the booths of the associations and organisations present to promote equality in technical and engineering education and careers.

The event is in French and will take place at the EPFL's Forum Rolex, with the following program:

18:00 Doors open

18:30 Welcome and presentation of the conference

  • Leïla Ojjeh (CGC'94), EPFL Alumni Director

18:35 Current situation: highlighting issues and impact

  • Kathryn Hess Bellwald, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Outreach, EPFL

18:45 Round table moderated by Julie Kummer, Journalist at Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS)
How can women get involved in science and technology?

  • Laetitia Henriot Arsever (IN'08), Head of Group IT & Digital at Valora, Coding Club for Girls mentor
  • Gonxhe Idrizi (SC'22), IT Data Scientist at Procter & Gamble, former Coding Club for Girls beneficiary and mediator
  • Manon Poffet (GM'20), Consultant at Helbling Business Advisors, member of the EPFL Alumni Women's Club committee
  • Gisou van der Goot, Vice President for Responsible Transformation, EPFL

19:25 Opening up the sciences

  • Sabrina Rami Shojaei (PhD MT'98), Head of Education outreach department, EPFL

19:35 Breaking down gender stereotypes from childhood - Focus on the Coding Club for Girls
Video presentation and interview with :

  • Farnaz Moser (CGC'86, PhD CGC'91), Head of outreach department, EPFL
  • Stella Ciana, former beneficiary of the Coding Club for Girls

19:50 Closing remarks

19:55 Networking aperitif and visit to the booths of associations and organisations

Participation is free of charge. Please register here to take part in the event.

MARVEL will be present with some information about its activities regarding equal opportunities, as the INSPIRE Potentials Master's fellowships and the #NCCRWomen campaign.

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