International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026

Finding freedom, creativity, and purpose through science

For some, science represents space to think independently and explore new ideas. Others describe it as a balance between “solitary reflection and collaborative discovery,” a place to evolve and keep learning.

What unites their perspectives is a shared sense of curiosity, persistence and purpose.

Curiosity and the joy of experimentation

Curiosity is a common thread running through every story. Some colleagues were drawn in by school experiments; others by the thrill of understanding how processes, materials or systems behave.

I was inspired by the stories from my chemistry professor Bohr’s evolving models of the atom, Kekulé’s visualisation of the benzene ring. Even studying the anatomy of a hibiscus flower felt magical. Science, to me, is the perfect blend of creativity, reasoning, analysis, and interpretation. Ankita Mishra Manager- Product Development; Nagpur India

Through Elkem's Technical Trainee Programme, Hedda and Annlinn have discovered that science is not confined to laboratory benches. It can mean supporting plant operations, improving processes from behind a laptop, or working across teams to solve complex challenges.

Diversity strengthens science

There is no single model of who belongs in science or industry. Every voice has value and that inclusion enriches both teams and results. These strengths shape decisions, teams and solutions.

Encouragement and inclusion are key

Our colleagues' stories show the many paths into scientific careers and just how varied and meaningful scientific work can be. They also remind us that inspiration is just one part of the journey – encouragement and inclusion also play a big role.

When someone feels welcome and invited in, their confidence grows, as does their sense of possibility. By involving people early, giving them room to try, and showing them they belong, we help future colleagues and leaders get their start. 

As we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and the contributions of our colleagues around the world, we're also looking ahead and will continue to foster an inclusive environment, support innovation, and champion opportunities for women and girls in STEM fields.