On 11 February, the exhibition ‘Women Shaping Science’ opened in the Braem Building at the VUB in Etterbeek. The expo presents twenty women researchers through portraits by photographer Lieve Blancquaert. The event drew a large crowd. During the reception, visitors walked between the life-size photo prints, spread throughout one wing of the Braem Building, drink and bite in hand. “Each of the twenty portrayed translates scientific knowledge into real change.”
Visit the expo in the Braem Building and other various locations until 6 March.
Rector Jan Danckaert opened the evening with a short speech, underlining the importance of the exhibition. “‘A picture is worth a thousand words.’ This exhibition of 20 portraits therefore says more than 20,000 words.” He expressed his appreciation for the initiators of the expo and for the scientists who agreed to be photographed: “Praise for the participating top scientists and top models – and I know some had doubts about taking part, but seeing the result, those doubts were not needed.”
Photographer Lieve Blancquaert
Scientists without frills
“Lieve Blancquaert has captured the person behind the scientist in a powerful and compelling way.” According to the rector, the portraits show what science stands for. No frills. Thoughtful. Reflective. Authentic. The twenty portrayed represent a wide range of disciplines within the university. “Each of them translates scientific knowledge into real change: by developing technologies that reshape the way we live, by experimenting with new treatments, or by providing scientifically grounded answers to complex societal questions.”
The VUB rector noted that gender equality within academia has improved, but the imbalance has not yet disappeared. “At the start of an academic career, women and men are balanced: half of PhD candidates are women. Among postdocs, 40% remain women. Within the professoriate, 35% are women. Among full and associate professors, that figure drops to 1 in 5.” There is still work to be done. Not only at the VUB, but in Belgium, in Europe, and across the world. He concluded with a call: “Let ‘Women Shaping Science’ be a tribute to all women scientists, here and everywhere.”
“Gender equality and science as such are today, more than ever, under pressure”
Rector Jan Danckaert
The final part of the programme featured a conversation with Lieve Blancquaert, immunologist Karine Breckpot and political scientist Karen Celis. Karine stressed that gender should not be the basis for how we look at people. “We should see people as people, not as a gender. This is something we must teach our children from an early age, allowing them to think beyond male–female.” She was equally clear about leadership. “Leadership qualities depend on character, much more than on gender.”
A conversation with Lieve Blancquaert, political scientist Karen Celis and immunologist Karine Breckpot
Karen highlighted the societal context of scientific work. “Seeing problems. Thinking up solutions. That is what scientists do. Which problems you see and which solutions you come up with depend on the life you lead. That, in turn, is influenced by your position in society, which is again shaped by whether you are a man or a woman.”
She pointed out that the debate remains urgently relevant today. “Talking about gender equality in science today matters, because gender equality and science as such are once again more than ever under pressure.”
Blancquaert concluded by admitting she personally felt disappointed about the evolution of gender inequality. “I had expected gender inequality to have disappeared during my lifetime and that we would simply see each other as human beings. I no longer have that hope. That is very sad.”
Up the stairs
After the conversation, the twenty scientists were given five minutes by photographer Lieve Blancquaert to come to the staircase in the Braem Building. “Otherwise it won’t happen.” There, on the steps, a group photo was taken to close the evening. Relaxed and smiling, they were captured on the digital plate. Quietly, one of them had put on Spotify. “This is a man's world …”
VUB Tomorrow: Women in top-level research
VUB Tomorrow – the VUB’s digital magazine that digs deeper and shares inspiring stories about research shaping our future – also turns the spotlight on VUB women in its February special.
Not only women conducting top-level research in their field are featured. Women in policy and leadership are given a place as well. They sit on governing bodies, help determine the direction of the university, and shape the framework within which education and research take form.
Also on view in Mechelen and Vilvoorde
To give as many people as possible the chance to get to know women shaping science, the full exhibition will also travel to the following locations:
Mechelen – Technopolis, Technologielaan 1 – from 16 to 22 February – free with a Technopolis ticket
Vilvoorde – Maakwinkelstraat at Asiat Park, entrance via Mechelsesteenweg 255 – from 16 February to 1 May – free entry
And in Halle, Jette and Ostend
From 3 March onwards, you can view selected parts of the exhibition at these locations:
Halle – to be announced
Jette – UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101
Ostend – VUB at Sea, Graaf De Smet de Naeyerlaan 4