"Women in Quantum" workshop unites senior physicists to address gender equity
April 4, 2025
- The third W4Q workshop brought together senior women quantum physicists to discuss gender equity challenges in the field and identify useful actions.
- Through high-level research presentations and interactive discussions, the event reinforced advanced strategies to improve female representation in leadership positions in academia and industry.
The third edition of the Women for Quantum (W4Q) workshop took place from March 30 to April 2, 2025, at the Maristel Hotel & Spa in Mallorca, bringing together a growing network of leading women quantum physicists. The event was supported by the University of Helsinki, the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), and Quantum Spain.
Following the success of the previous two editions, the workshop gathered theorist and experimental researchers from across Europe and Japan, experts in quantum optics, atomic and molecular physics, quantum many-body systems, and quantum information. All participants hold tenured positions in academic institutions and have more than a decade of experience beyond their Ph.D.
Over these days, attendees shared their latest theoretical and experimental research while reflecting on the persistent challenges to achieving gender equity in quantum physics. In addition to addressing strategies to break the glass ceiling and improve workplace environments in science, the workshop took concrete steps toward establishing a structured organization and designing impactful initiatives for real change.
The event featured high-level scientific presentations, open discussions on issues ranging from evaluations, data, quota, relation with international entitities, internal working structure of W4Q, and effective actions to improve female representation in leadership positions, both in academia and industry. All in line with the group’s commitment to the Women for Quantum Manifesto of Values as a guiding framework for W4Q activity.
Organizers Roberta Zambrini (IFISC, UIB-CSIC) and Sabrina Maniscalco (AlgorithmiQ, University of Helsinki) expressed the importance of maintaining the momentum generated to advance toward a more inclusive and diverse scientific community.
About Women for Quantum (W4Q)
W4Q is a network of senior women quantum physicists, primarily from Europe and Japan, with expertise in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics, quantum many-body systems, and quantum information. All members hold tenured positions and have more than 10 years of postdoctoral experience. The group actively works to promote gender equity in quantum physics and to foster a more diverse and welcoming scientific environment.
