We Simply Cannot Miss out on 50% of the Talent Worldwide

Nicole Probst-Hensch is currently the only female member of the Swiss TPH Managing Board. (Photo: Danielle Powell, Swiss TPH) - On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Nicole Probst-Hensch, Head of the Department Epidemiology and Public Health at Swiss TPH, talks about her vision for more women in scientific careers. Professor Probst-Hensch, why is it important that we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science? The world is facing challenges that require scientific answers: just think about climate change. Greta Thunberg, a young woman with courage and dedication, motivated millions to work towards decreasing CO2 emissions. We now need talented scientists to help find solutions to decrease emissions. In order to trigger change, solutions will not only have to be technical but also social - such as changing people's behaviour - and economic - such as estimating the long-term economic burden of global warming to inform policy-makers. With these challenges ahead, we simply cannot miss out on 50% of the talent worldwide, we need all hands on deck.