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Description

 
This workshop has been one of the most popular events in the ICTP Scientific Calendar since its founding in 2013: a space for women in physics to share experiences, build international networks, master the soft skills needed to bridge the gender gap and thrive in their global scientific careers.
 
Despite global progress, women remain underrepresented in the physics community, resulting not only in a loss of talent but also in challenging working environments for those pursuing careers in physics, who may experience both social and professional isolation. This workshop is designed to address these challenges providing a dedicated and supportive space for women physicists to share experiences and perspectives. It also aims to equip early-career female scientists with essential soft skills that are critical for career advancement and that are often acquired informally through established networks, from which women may be excluded. Furthermore, the workshop seeks to foster the development of a global network of women physicists, encouraging long-term collaboration, mutual support, and professional growth.
 
Topics:
 
  • overview of women in physics worldwide
  • inspiring talks by 'successful' women in physics
  • workshops on skills development
  • panel discussions on topics such as how to achieve work-life balance and how to choose research topics
  • drama therapy workshop on how to deal with challenges in the workplace
  • scientific poster session
 
Speakers: 

Sekhar Chivukula, University of California, San Diego, USA 
Erika Coppola, ICTP, Italy
Maitri Gopalakrishna, Parivarthan, Bangalore
Sinead Griffin, Lawrence Berkeley Labs, USA
Shazrene Mohamed, University of Virginia, USA
Shobhana Narasimhan, JNCASR, India
Elizabeth Helen Simmons, University of California, San Diego, USA

Poster abstracts: In the application form, all applicants are encouraged to submit an abstract for a poster presentation. A limited number of abstracts will be selected for the poster session. Please use ICTP templates available for download here or below under 'Material'.
 
Grants: A limited number of grants are available to support the attendance of selected participants, with priority given to participants from developing countries. There is no registration fee.

Material

Career Development Workshop for Women in Physics | (smr 4312)
Go to day
  • Monday, 12 October 2026
    • 08:00 - 09:15 Registration & Administrative formalities
      Convener: Viktoriya Lvova (ICTP)
    • 09:15 - 17:45
      • 09:15 Opening remarks 15'
        Speakers: Erika Coppola (ICTP), Elizabeth Simmons (University of California), Shobhana Narasimhan (JNCASR), Sandro Scandolo (ICTP)
      • 09:30 Women in STEM: an overview 30'
        Speaker: Elizabeth Simmons (University of California)
      • 10:00 Coffee Break/ Registration 45'
      • 10:45 Ice Breakers 1h0' 
        Only for participants 'in person'

Facilitator: Maitri Gopalakrishna
      • 11:45 Talk on ICTP activities 30'
        Speaker: Erika Coppola (ICTP)
      • 12:15 Lunch break 45'
      • 13:00 Workshop: Preparing a strong CV: (Part I) 1h15'
        Speakers: Elizabeth Simmons (University of California), Sekhar Chivukula (University of California)
      • 14:15 Meet the women scientists in ICTP 45' 
        Coffee & discussion
Only for participants 'in person'
        Speakers: Agnese Bissi (ICTP), Asja Jelic (ICTP), Alina Marian (ICTP), Erika Coppola (ICTP), Natasa Stojic (ICTP)
      • 15:00 Group photo 2' 
        For participants 'in person'
      • 15:00 World Café Format Discussion 1h30' ( Cafeteria (AGH) ) 
        Coffee & discussion
Only for participants 'in person'

Facilitator: Shobhana Narasimhan (JNCASR)
      • 16:30 Making striking slides 45'
        Speaker: Alison Hatt (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
      • 17:15 To Be Announced 30'
        Speaker: Shazrene Mohamed (University of Virginia)
  • Tuesday, 13 October 2026
    • 09:00 - 20:30
      • 09:00 How to pick a research topic 30'
        Speaker: Shazrene Mohamed (University of Virginia)
      • 09:30 Physics Without Frontiers for women in science 30'
        Speaker: Natasa Stojic (ICTP)
      • 10:00 Group photo & Coffee break 45' 
        For participants online
      • 10:45 Panel Discussion: How to balance career and family 1h30' 
        Moderator: Natasa Stojic
        Speakers: Omnia Nematallah (Cairo University), Cecilia Gisele Jarne (Universidad Nacional de Quilmes), Rania Eid (King Hussein Cancer Center), Yueyu Zhang (Shanghai Dianji University)
      • 12:15 Lunch break 45'
      • 13:00 Group A: Workshop on Challenges in the Workplace 1h45' 
        Only for participants 'in person'

Facilitator: Maitri Gopalakrishna
      • 15:00 Coffee break 30'
      • 15:30 Group A: Workshop Continues 1h30' 
        Only for participants 'in person'

Facilitator: Maitri Gopalakrishna
      • 17:00 Break 1h0'
      • 18:00 Poster session 1h0' 
        Only for participants 'in person'
        Material: Booklet
      • 19:00 Welcome reception 1h30' ( Cafeteria (AGH) )
  • Wednesday, 14 October 2026
    • 09:00 - 17:00
      • 09:00 Workshop on Negotiation 1h0'
        Speakers: Sekhar Chivukula (University of California), Elizabeth Simmons (University of California)
      • 10:00 Coffee break 45'
      • 10:45 Workshop on Negotiation (continues) 45'
        Speakers: Sekhar Chivukula (University of California), Elizabeth Simmons (University of California)
      • 11:30 How to Give a Good Talk 45'
        Speaker: Alison Hatt (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
      • 12:15 Lunch 45'
      • 13:00 Group B: Workshop on Challenges in the Workplace 1h45' 
        Only for participants 'in person'

Facilitator: Maitri Gopalakrishna
      • 15:00 Coffee break 30'
      • 15:30 Group B: Workshop Continues 1h30' 
        Only for participants 'in person'

Facilitator: Maitri Gopalakrishna
  • Thursday, 15 October 2026
    • 09:00 - 15:30
      • 09:00 From curiosity to carrier: a personal experience and viewpoint 30'
        Speaker: Maria Peressi (University of Trieste)
      • 09:30 How to write a good grant proposal 30' 
        Only for participants 'in person'
        Speaker: Ali Hassanali (ICTP)
      • 10:00 Coffee break 45'
      • 10:45 Workshop on How to Cope with Stress 1h30'
        Speaker: Elizabeth Simmons (University of California)
      • 12:15 Lunch break 45'
      • 13:00 Workshop on CV writing (Part II) 1h15' 
        Only for participants 'in person'
        Speakers: Elizabeth Simmons (University of California), Sekhar Chivukula (University of California)
      • 14:15 Coffee break 30'
      • 14:45 Shuttle to Leonardo building 30'
    • 15:30 - 18:45 'Picture a Scientist' movie & Panel discussion
      Location: Leonardo Building - Budinich Lecture Hall
      • 15:30 Picture a Scientist 2h0' 
        For more information please  CLICK HERE.
        Material: Poster
      • 17:30 Panel discussion 30' 
        Moderator: Cristina Serra, Staff writer, The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS)
        Speakers: Sekhar Chivukula (University of California, San Diego), Maitri Gopalakrishna (Drama therapist, counselling psychologist, and practice-researcher), Silvia Onesti (Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste)
      • 18:00 Light refreshments 45' 
        Everyone is welcome to attend!
  • Friday, 16 October 2026
    • 09:00 - 15:45
      • 09:00 One minute Presentations by Participants 1h30' 
        Participants in person and online participants
      • 10:30 Coffee break 15'
      • 10:45 OWSD 45'
        Speaker: Tonya Blowers (OWSD)
      • 11:30 Play x Discuss: An interactive game 45' 
        Remote talk
        Speaker: Chrysa Bika (Technical University of Munich)
      • 12:15 Concluding Session 1h15' 
        All the participants
        Speaker: Elizabeth Simmons (University of California), Alison Hatt (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), Erika Coppola (ICTP)
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