PhD candidate, Geophysical Institute, Karljin Ploeg, invited to a informal lunch to celebrate International Women’s Day.
"I noticed that there wasn’t anything specific planned for International Women’s Day here, so I wanted to create a space where we could discuss our achievements and share experiences."
In this context, we have also asked three of our talented female researchers to share their experiences.
Lu Li
Researcher II, NORCE and Bjerknes Centre
"I'm a hydrologist at the NORCE Norwegian Research Center and the Bjerknes Center for Climate Research. My work focuses on understanding how climate change affects our water cycles, especially regarding glaciers, snow, and floods. I'm all about making sense of past, present, and future hydrological changes and helping predict floods more accurately with tools like WRF-Hydro modeling.
Being a woman in science has definitely given me a unique perspective. One thing that stands out is often I get asked about balancing work and life, especially as a mom (I have two kids, 2 and 8 years old). Sometimes, I wish I could dive into my work without worrying about time, like some of my colleagues do. But being a mother and a researcher means I have to find a middle ground, which is both a challenge and a unique aspect of my career.
Overall, my experience as a female researcher has shaped who I am in many ways. It is challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. It's given me the chance to grow, learn, and to hopefully make a difference for the next generation of women in science."
Pragallva (Prachi) Barpanda
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Geophysical Institute and Bjerknes Centre
"I am an early-career climate scientist. I use math, computer models and data to better understand the movement of waves in the Earth’s atmosphere. Atmospheric waves are important since they govern our weather and climate at various timescales. In my work, I seek to enhance the capability of the state-of-the-art climate models in representing atmospheric waves which can then be used to make more accurate predictions of extreme events under future climate change scenarios.
This is an exciting time to be a woman in science because never before in history have had such institutional support and empowerment. The shifting landscape, increased opportunities, mentorship programs, and a focus on inclusivity creates an environment where women can thrive and make groundbreaking contributions. I am excited to be part of a positive change that paves the way for future generations of women in STEM. By sharing my experiences, mentoring aspiring scientists, and participating in outreach programs, I hope to encourage more women to pursue careers in science. "
Karljin Ploeg
PhD candidate, Geophysical Institute and Bjerknes Centre
"Sometimes I wonder how the world would have looked like if women would have been encouraged to be scientists from the very start. How many pressing issues could have already been fixed by those brilliant minds that we never listened to? Luckily, we are catching up now! I am proud to be part of the scientific community, eager to make it a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for everyone, and very ready to celebrate women’s achievements worldwide today!"