Women Leading Scientific Change
Women are at the forefront of groundbreaking scientific research, tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Science thrives on diversity and inclusion, yet gender bias remains a significant challenge. Take heart failure trials, for instance—over a 15-year period, men were included three times more often than women.
To truly reflect the world we live in, science must evolve—and fast.
Through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funding program, women scientists are breaking barriers, filling research gaps, and reshaping the way we understand our world. Their work ensures that scientific advancements benefit everyone.
Following in the footsteps of Marie Skłodowska-Curie, these women prove that when women lead in science, society as a whole moves forward.
As Skłodowska-Curie famously said: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” These researchers are helping us both understand and improve the world around us.
Here are five inspiring projects led by women scientists that are addressing critical issues—ranging from healthcare to social inequality—demonstrating how curiosity, determination, and inclusion drive meaningful change.
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Helping Migrant Women Access Education
Education unlocks opportunities, yet many migrant women face barriers to literacy, limiting their ability to fully integrate into society.
The GEMILLI project, led by MSCA fellow Margarida Martins Barroso, explores the unique challenges migrant women encounter when learning a new language and culture.
This research highlights how public policies often fail to acknowledge the diverse experiences of migrant women, treating them as a single, homogenous group rather than individuals with unique needs. GEMILLI doesn’t just identify these barriers—it advocates for more inclusive policies that make education accessible for all.
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Rethinking Care Work
Care work—disproportionately carried out by women—is frequently undervalued, underpaid, or even unpaid.
The AGenDA project/), led by Rossella Ciccia, pushes for urgent reforms in long-term care policies, especially as Europe’s population ages.
Women face disadvantages both as caregivers and as those most likely to require care later in life. AGenDA examines how gender, migration, and social inequalities shape care systems, advocating for fairer cost-sharing and gender-sensitive policies.
By offering new perspectives, AGenDA is working to create a future where caregiving is properly supported, and care systems serve everyone equitably.
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Combating Gender Bias at Birth
In some parts of the world, a preference for sons over daughters leads to gender imbalances, social inequalities, and even increased violence against women.
The GlobalKnoT project, led by MSCA fellow Laura Rahm, investigates global efforts—especially those led by the United Nations—to combat gender-biased sex selection and female genital mutilation.
Through social campaigns and large-scale data tracking, this project sheds light on persistent harmful gender norms.
By working closely with policymakers, communities, and international organizations, GlobalKnoT is turning research into actionable solutions to better protect women and girls.
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Closing the Leadership Gender Gap
Although women make up half of the workforce, they hold only 17% of senior leadership positions in the EU. One of the barriers? Leadership models remain largely based on masculine traits.
The WOMLEAD project, led by MSCA fellow Caren Goldberg, seeks to challenge this.
WOMLEAD explores how leadership is defined and why traditional assessment methods favor men. It focuses on an alternative approach: servant leadership, which prioritizes ethical, relational, and emotional intelligence—qualities more frequently associated with women.
By broadening leadership evaluation methods and promoting training in soft skills, WOMLEAD aims to dismantle biases and make leadership more inclusive.
A simple but powerful idea: redefine leadership, and the gender gap begins to close.
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Making Universities Safer
Sexual harassment and gender-based violence are prevalent in academia, yet many victims remain unsupported, and institutions are rarely held accountable.
The UniswithHeart project, led by MSCA researcher Ana Vidu, is working to change this.
The project connects survivors, advocates for zero-tolerance policies, and drives institutional reforms in universities. One notable achievement has been the creation of
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