About

Our mission

Physics has one of the largest gender gaps in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) fields. And according to recent estimates of the rate of change, it will take more than 100 years until gender parity.

In Instituto Superior Técnico, where the average female proportion is 29% for students and 26% for professors, Physics is below 20% in both categories.

In order to tip the scales towards equality, we established a “Women in Physics” student club at Técnico. We want to spread an encouraging message to high-school, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers, and to directly address the problems which lead to this significant imbalance. We aim to stimulate a conversation about this issue in the Técnico community, simultaneously empowering women students and researchers to realize their full potential.

Our goals

Our key goals are to:

Foster a community that offers networking opportunities, mutual support, and exchange of ideas.
Encourage young women to consider physics as their vocation, and empower the women already on this path to fulfill their career goals.
Raise awareness of and promote responsibility for unequal conditions faced by gender and other minorities in the physics community.

Membership

Any individual is welcome to contribute to the Women in Physics student club’s mission as a:

Member – by actively supporting the organization of our activities (students only)
Honorary member – by actively supporting the organization of our activities (postdocs, professors and others)
Participant – by attending our events or being part of our community (everyone)

If you’re interested in supporting us, please fill out this form or contact us by email.

Code of conduct

The Women in Physics (WiP) student club is committed to promoting a safe, welcoming, inclusive and respectful atmosphere to all members and participants, regardless of sexual identity and orientation, visible or invisible disability, personal appearance, ethnicity, race, nationality, age, religion, gender identity and expression, or any other protected categories.

Be open, kind and supportive.
Respect others’ ideas and viewpoints.
Treat everyone with respect and consideration.
Be courteous during talks, discussions, meetings, and other activities.

All inappropriate conduct should be reported to a member of the WiP organisation committee.

The WiP organisation committee reserves the right to expel anyone who does not align with our mission and values.

Support

The Women in Physics Student Club is supported by the American Physical Society, through a Women in Physics Group Grant.