Université Bourgogne Europe is committed to inspiring young women to pursue careers in science.
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated every 11 February since 2015, the Université Bourgogne Europe (UBE) is actively promoting scientific careers among young girls through the Ambition Filles Scientifiques (Ambitious Girls in Science) project.
A unique partnership promoting equality
Led by Khalida Mertès, a member of the academic working group for the promotion of science, the Ambition Filles Scientifiques project has enabled the establishment of a unique partnership with female researchers at the University of Burgundy Europe.
Its objective is clear: to organise classroom meetings between middle and high school students from the Dijon academy and women engaged in scientific careers.
A committed mentor: Nadine Millot
To symbolise this commitment, Nadine Millot, Vice-President of Research at UBE and member of the Interdisciplinary Laboratory Carnot de Bourgogne (ICB), has agreed to become the project’s mentor. A university professor, she fully supports this initiative, whose objectives echo her personal convictions: to show young girls that pursuing scientific studies and succeeding in a research career is not only possible, but fully accessible.
Alongside her, other female researchers and scientists from UBE have rallied together, all convinced of the importance of highlighting inspiring female career paths.
Interventions tailored to students
Each speaker will present their academic and professional background, their field of research, and the concrete impact of their work on society.
Among the first participants:
• Nadine Millot, University Professor and project sponsor, will speak at the Gustave Eiffel High School in Dijon on 5 February;
• Sandrine Gauffinet, University Professor, Deputy Director of Polytech Dijon and member of the CNRS, will speak at the Marcel Aymé Middle School in Marsannay-La-Côte on 5 February;
• Catherine Vergely, University Professor and Director of the Cerebro-Cardiovascular Physiopathology and Epidemiology Laboratory (PEC2) at UBE, will speak at the J.M. Boivin secondary school in Chevigny on 5 February;
• Sophy Poty, Junior Professor at the Institute of Molecular Chemistry at UBE and CNRS, will speak at Roland Dorgelès College in Longvic on 26 February;
• Emmanuelle Vennin, University Professor at the Biogeosciences Laboratory at UBE and CNRS, will speak at Stephen Liégeard High School in Brochon on 26 February.
To date, other researchers, doctoral students and educational establishments have already expressed their desire to join the initiative.
Tutoring and immersion: discovering student life first-hand
On 26 February, students from Polytech Dijon met with pupils from Le Chapitre secondary school in Chenôve to talk about their studies and invite the pupils to discover the campus. Around twenty pupils will then be welcomed for a day of immersion at Polytech Dijon. The programme includes:
• A tour of the research laboratories;
• Scientific experiments supervised by students;
• A visit to the university library and restaurant;
• Immersion in student life.
An event set to become an annual fixture
Most of the activities take place in February, to coincide with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This year marks the first official celebration of this day in the Dijon academy.
In the longer term, Ambition Filles Scientifiques aims to:
• Mobilise more women scientists in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, from various organisations;
• Strengthen mentoring initiatives dedicated to young girls;
• Make February an unmissable annual event to encourage a generation with more girls in science.
Through this project, the University of Burgundy Europe is affirming its desire to actively contribute to greater gender diversity in scientific fields and to enable every young girl to dare to envisage a future in research, engineering or innovation.