Altai State University hosted the International Breakfast for Women Chemists

Employees of the Institute of Chemistry and Chemical-Pharmaceutical Technologies supported the project of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry IUPAC. On February 27, an informal breakfast meeting was held to discuss current achievements and career prospects for women in chemical sciences.

In total, the International Breakfast in 2024 will involve 412 scientific and educational organizations from around the world, with seven participants being from Russian cities such as Barnaul, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, and Moscow. Barnaul is represented by Altai State University, the only university in the region offering chemistry as a specialty.

“It is important to be aware of global trends, one of them is promotion of equal rights for women, including in science. At our institute, more than 50% of the employees are women, and mostly our graduates, there is a line of succession. We need to attract young personnel, to increase the prestige of teaching and scientific activities. Most of our employees are candidates of science, but doctoral degrees are not defended so often. In many ways, it is due to the heavy workload of women and family responsibilities. These are the topics we discussed at the breakfast,” said Irina Mikushina, Director of the Institute of Chemical and Chemical Technology.

The global theme set by the organizers was “Catalyzing Diversity in Science,” but each participant brought their own theme to the event. For example, at the Krasnoyarsk State Pedagogical University named after V.P. Astafiev, the topic “Dynasties of women chemists in Russia and the world” was discussed, and at Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov – “The fate and role of Dmitry Mendeleev’s mother.”