Brussels, 11 February 2026 – On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February) and in the lead-up to International Women’s Day (8 March), Vrije Universiteit Brussel is launching the campaign ‘Women shaping Science’. With this project, VUB makes female scientists visible, connects their stories, and celebrates their impact on research, policy, and society.

Although women today contribute to science at all levels, they remain underrepresented in the public image as experts, leaders, or voices in public debate. And in a society where the public sphere increasingly seems to tilt back toward male power and male voices, VUB wants this campaign to deliberately offer a countervoice. Women shaping Science acknowledges that reality, but does not dwell on it: the campaign not only highlights where inequalities exist, but above all showcases those who are already making a difference today.

At the heart of the project is a photo exhibition featuring twenty portraits of female VUB researchers, created by photographer Lieve Blancquaert. The portraits offer a window onto a broader reality: hundreds of women at VUB who lead research, help shape policy, teach, and share their expertise with society.

By making these researchers visible, VUB also aims to inspire younger generations. Role models play a crucial role in study choices and career ambitions. When girls and young women see themselves reflected in scientists who are making a difference, science becomes not an abstract world, but an attainable and appealing future. With Women shaping Science, VUB wants to show that talent knows no gender and that there is room for everyone in research, innovation, and policymaking.

Around the exhibition, which will be shown at various locations in Brussels and Flanders, VUB is developing a broader communication campaign, including a digital feature on VUB Tomorrow, a dedicated webpage, a media experts list, and a social media campaign. In this way, the stories behind the portraits are explored in greater depth, and female expertise is actively brought to the attention of journalists, policymakers, and the wider public.

“The impact of our female scientists on society is impressive,” says VUB Rector Jan Danckaert. “They translate scientific knowledge into tangible change: they develop technologies that reshape the way we live, experiment with new treatments, and provide scientifically grounded answers to complex societal questions. Their research in medicine, artificial intelligence, climate, economics, law, and many other fields contributes every day to the solutions our world needs today and tomorrow.”

Progress in figures

Equal opportunities for development are a core value of Vrije Universiteit Brussel. For more than twenty years, VUB has been systematically working toward an inclusive academic environment in which talent can fully develop, regardless of gender or background.

In 2005, the university was the first in Flanders to adopt a diversity plan. Today, it pursues an integrated approach in which gender and diversity are structurally embedded across all policy domains: from human resources and research to education and communication.

In 2025, 44.4% of VUB researchers were women. The proportion of female professors continues to rise steadily: from 20% in 2005, to 28% in 2015, and 35.5% in 2025. This places VUB among the frontrunners in Flanders. Since 2021, the university-wide target of one-third female professors has been achieved.

At the same time, the so-called leaky pipeline remains visible: women represent approximately half of doctoral students, but only 21.6% of full professors are women. Differences between faculties also persist.

With Women shaping Science, VUB underscores its commitment to making female expertise visible and to continuing to achieve structural progress in academic equality.

The exhibition is freely accessible at the Braem Building until 6 March during office hours. The expo will also tour Flanders: it will be shown in full at Technopolis in Mechelen and at the Asiat site in Vilvoorde. A selection of the exhibition will be displayed in Jette, Ostend, and Halle. All information is available on the campaign webpage.

The experts list associated with the photo exhibition is attached.