There are many stereotypes in the world, but one of them has probably been known by everyone – they say that science was made by men. If you are faced with such a prejudice, remember one name that will definitely change the mind of a stubborn opponent – Maria Skłodowska-Curie.
A native of Poland, who gained worldwide recognition among the best scientists, she is the woman whose mind was and still is admired by absolutely everyone who understands her contribution to the development of human civilization. She received two Nobel Prizes!
Why is it important for Polytechnicians to remember Skłodowska-Curie today? Because on this day, July 10, 1912, the scientist visited Lviv Polytechnic School (now Lviv Polytechnic National University) to give a lecture for students and receive the title of Honorary Doctor of Technical Sciences from the Academic Board.
According to a well-known Lviv Professor Halyna Klym, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor at the Department of Specialized Computer Systems, the Institute of Computer Technologies, Automation and Metrology, Lviv Polytechnic National University, who is one of the most cited modern Ukrainian scientists, for women scientists Skłodowska-Curie is an example to follow. Professor Klym studies functional materials that are used to create various types of sensors for both household purposes, such as temperature, humidity, and the defense industry.
«Probably, for every woman, engaged in science, Skłodowska-Curie is a kind of idol. If women are mentioned in science, usually Skłodowska-Curie is in the TOP list. I think many women have built their scientific career and scientific lifestyle of their families following her example,» says Halyna Klym.
The researcher said that at the beginning of her career, she was also confronted with a male bias that, to put it mildly, women in science are out of place.
«Early in my career, science was something purely masculine. When I was studying at university, I was the only girl in my specialty, so I was put higher demands than boys, as if I had to prove to someone that I deserve to be among them. But this prejudice has faded over time. I can even say that now Ukrainian science is becoming more feminine. This may be due to the financial aspect. There are a lot of boys, who study technical specialties, but become programmers, and science remains for women. Women by nature are more hardworking and persistent. Men often do not finish their work. However women, when they start, try to finish it. For example, if they undertake postgraduate study, they complete it defending their dissertation, etc.,» says the scientist.
Interesting is the fact that in many countries abroad women are treated more liberally than in Ukraine. There they have certain preferences to balance the number of men and women in science. For example, in the USA, if there is a scientific competition and two projects go to the final, and in one of them the leader is a man, in the other – a woman, then when they both have an equal number of points, the woman’s project wins.
«At the beginning of my scientific career, when I decided to undertake my postgraduate study, I was told that I am unpromising, because I am a girl, because I will get married, have a child and that’s the end of it… I got married only last year to a scientist. Now I have a small baby and time for family, but I am not on maternity leave, I’m working. All this can be combined if you organize your time properly and set priorities. The main thing is the desire, then a family is not an obstacle for science – let’s remember the example of the Curie family! By the way, my husband defended his doctoral dissertation last year. Honestly, the scientific family is very comfortable, we work in the same field, understand, help and support each other. We both develop ourselves,» sums up Halyna Klym.
Science really is the field that can attract absolutely everyone. Everyone can make a significant contribution to it, regardless of gender, nationality or status. The main thing is the desire, and if you lack motivation, the biography of Marie Skłodowska-Curie will definitely inspire you.