New Initiative Launched to Empower Women in Science, Research

A new base promoting science education and research opportunities for female students was launched over the weekend in Shanghai's Lingang New Area as part of the "For Girls in Science" program, together with the first science camp for young women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

The initiative was part of the 2025 World Laureates Science Education Forum, which this year focused on global science education and the role of women in research.

"The program connects classrooms with hands-on science through three approaches: inviting scientists into schools, taking students to research institutes, and bringing science closer to the public," said Lan Zhenzhen, chief public affairs officer for L'Oréal North Asia and China.

According to Lan, the program, first launched at last year's World Laureates Forum, has since reached more than 100 schools across China and engaged nearly 200,000 students.

Experts at the forum noted that women's participation in science has continued to increase over the past 15 years.

"The number of female Nobel laureates in the natural sciences has steadily increased between 2010 and 2025," said Jiang Changjian, associate professor at Fudan University.

Shen Yuting, deputy director of the Shanghai Educational Center of Science & Art, said participation of females in STEM programs has increased notably in the past five years. "Science literacy," she added, "is becoming an essential part of personal growth for many students."

On Sunday, participants met Turing Award and Wolf Prize laureates at the forum before visiting the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Innovation Academy for Microsatellites for an aerospace workshop. Speaking at the session, 2023 WLA Prize laureate Karolin Luger encouraged students to take their first steps in science.

"Someone once asked, 'How do you eat an elephant?' The answer is, one bite at a time," the American biochemist said. "Science is the same. Once you start, you'll go further than you think."

The forum was co-organized by L'Oréal China, the Lingang Science and Innovation Development Foundation, and East China Normal University to promote international cooperation and gender balance in science education.