International Day of Women and Girls in Science

On 11 February, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The University of Vienna joins the celebrations.

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was initiated by the United Nations and aims to raise awareness of the gender gap in STEM disciplines. On this occasion, the University of Vienna shines a spotlight on female academics working at its natural sciences faculties and centres.

The successful acquisition of funding from the European Research Council (ERC) by women shows that women at the University of Vienna play a significant role in research innovation as well as in coping with global challenges. In 2023, 14 of 19 prestigious ERC grants were awarded to women.

Faculty of Computer Science

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Faculty of Mathematics

  • In 2024, the share of female academics at the Faculty of Mathematics is 22.4 %.
  • The Faculty actively promotes the integration of women and the advancement of their careers.
  • To reach potential students, the Faculty participates in the “Frauen in die Technik (FIT)” information days. 
  • All job advertisements are published on the international platform European Women in Mathematics.
  • Click here to go to the "Women in Science"-website of the Faculty of Mathematics.

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Faculty of Physics

  • The share of female academics at the Faculty of Physics currently amounts to 24.2 %.
  • The Faculty of Physics is actively participating in relevant programmes, such as "Frauen in der Technik (FIT)" and the initiatives of the University of Vienna to encourage women to enrol on a degree programme in Physics.
  • For bachelor’s and master’s students, the Faculty offers courses focusing on the topic of women and physics.
  • The aim is to increase the visibility of women and to raise awareness of the issue. The faculty has set up a separate position for diversity coordination for this purpose.
  • Current video (YouTube) "Sparks of Quantum Physics" with female scientists of the faculty. 
  • Click here to go to the "Women in Science"-website of the Faculty of Physics.

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Faculty of Chemistry

  • At the Faculty of Chemistry, the share of female academics is currently 40 %.
  • The WoChem (Women in Chemistry) network is a contact point for women in research and provides support especially to women with care obligations.
  • Flexible working hours and working from home facilitate the return to full-time work for women coming back after parental leave.
  • Achievements of female academics are published in the faculty magazine Indikator and thus increase the visibility of women in chemistry. 
  • Click here to go to the "Women in Science"-website of the Faculty of Chemistry.

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Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy

  • The share of female academics at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy is 38 %.
  • Many female academics of the Faculty inspire girls and young women through their commitment at the children’s university and in schools. They act as role models and stir interest in their disciplines.
  • The Gender and Diversity initiative develops targeted measures to promote and support women at the Faculty.
  • In the summer semester of 2024, the Faculty offers the course “Wissenschaft und Un-/Gleichheit” (science and in-/equality).
  • Click here to go to the "Women in Science"-website of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy.

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Faculty of Life Sciences

  • Around half (50.4 %) of the academic staff at the Faculty of Life Sciences are women.
  • The faculty management closely cooperates with the Equal Opportunities Working Party to ensure that any issues with regard to the promotion and equality of women are identified and solved swiftly.
  • The Faculty has launched the Pregnancy Lab project. It enables predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers to continue their research during pregnancy in accordance with the Maternity Protection Act.
  • Since 2015, the Faculty has been actively supporting the Women in Biology Initiative (WoBio): regular meetings and workshops, such as role model seminars aim to provide mutual support and promote career development.
  • Click here to go to the "Women in Science"-website of the Faculty of Life Sciences.

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Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science

  • At CeMESS, 51.8 % of researchers are women. This is the largest share of women among all STEM faculties and centres at the University of Vienna.
  • 38 % of CeMESS members are women.  Of the ten highly competitive ERC grants recently awarded to CeMESS researchers, six were awarded to women.
  • The CeMESS Women’s Career Advancement Initiative aims to support female early-stage researchers at CeMESS, with particular emphasis on career development, structural improvement to address the gender gap in academia, and reconciling family and career.
  • Click here to go to the "Women in Science"-website of the CeMESS.

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Max Perutz Labs

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Data Science research network

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