V-BRYGE 2023 and the Importance of Women in Research
The Chasing Modernity: Finance and Technology research group: one of two all female research groups here at V-BRYGE!
Close your eyes and picture a researcher. Are they wearing a lab coat? Are they holding anything? Where are they- in a lab? At an archeological dig? In a library? What are they doing? What gender are they?
Most people, when posed with that thought experiment, picture a man. Traditionally, research has been a male-dominated space, whether in the liberal arts, social sciences, or STEM. Women are typically excluded in a multitude of ways, from bias in interviews, being passed over for promotions or projects, to harassment. Not only does this exclusion prevent gender equality in the workplace, but a lack of representation leads to young women being unable to believe that someone of their gender can succeed in a research position. Today, workplaces are becoming more and more inclusive, and women are excelling in research in all fields, lifting as they rise by participating in and sponsoring initiatives to spur female involvement in academia and research.
Here at V-BRYGE, we’re proud to have women from all different backgrounds in our research groups, and two of our groups, Augmenting Culture: Reflection and Revitalization, and Chasing Modernity: Finance and Technology, are entirely made up of women. Our conference features women in varying positions of authority, from the Executive Board to research leads. We believe that our conference has the potential to, in addition to influencing the discourse on the United States and China, to model inclusivity and empowerment in social sciences research. We look forward to empowering more young researchers in both this conference and those to come!
Below, we asked our female research leads and researchers why gender equality and inclusivity, in and out of research, are important.
In Conversation with our Group Leads: The Importance of Women in Research Management
How has your experience been as a female leader in research?
“My experience has been good so far. My partner is very experienced and supportive. My research fellows are ambitious in the research about China and Renewable Energy Movement.”
- Fan Yang, Chasing Modernity Group Co-Lead
“I've enjoyed the discussions with my fellows, especially the atmosphere where everyone's opinions are listened to and responded to.”
- Wang Yingyi, Augmenting Culture Group Co-Lead
Why do you believe it's important to have women in positions of power in terms of academia/the social sciences?
“I do believe women can bring different perspectives. Women are more detail-oriented, which is important in gathering and analyzing resources. Helping more competent women succeed in academia is necessary to level the playing field.”
- Fan Yang, Chasing Modernity Group Co-Lead
“I personally feel that my female professors are more likely to make me feel completely relaxed and more easily connected with them in lectures/discussions or during our after-class talking. To me, women are important in academia simply because they make students like me, who are easily affected by the professor's personality, feel more comfortable and confident.”
- Wang Yingyi, Augmenting Culture Group Co-Lead
Why do you believe that inclusivity is important in fostering a good research environment?
“Inclusivity is the basis of diversity. A good research environment is usually diverse and composed of people with different backgrounds and abilities.”
- Fan Yang, Chasing Modernity Group Co-Lead
“Inclusivity is crucial to a good research environment as it reduces the possibility of one group dominating over the minority that reduces the interestingness of the research output and, moreover, influences the research experience of the minority group.”
- Wang Yingyi, Augmenting Culture Group Co-Lead
In Conversation with our Researchers: The Importance of Representation in Research
What has been your experience so far working on an all-female research team?
“I love the diversity of perspectives and the collaborative spirit!”
- Saamiya Laroia, Chasing Modernity
“Actually, I did not realize this characteristic of our group until our research leader mentioned it. It is just nice to work with such experienced, collaborative and considerate colleagues.”
- Jingyi Zhu, Chasing Modernity
“I'm feeling more at ease and enjoying the welcoming atmosphere.”
- Cheng Qiujie, Augmenting Culture
“It is fun and great, I feel comfortable working with my mates, and I really enjoyed every time we have discussions. The team atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement makes me feel very passionate and safe.”
- Kun Li, Chasing Modernity
“An all-female research team can provide a supportive environment where team members feel understood and validated, and where everyone's ideas and contributions are valued equally.”
- Yidi Zeng, Chasing Modernity
“It’s going quite smoothly. I like communicating with women. They are usually more humble and open to others’ ideas than men. I can confidently express myself without the concern of being regarded by some arrogant men as “ignorant women”.
- Wang Shihan, Augmenting Culture
Why do you believe gender equality in research is important?
“To speak up, to be recognized, to show that our words matter.”
- Jingyi Zhu, Chasing Modernity
“It can provide chances for everybody. The focus of research can be solely on questions or problems to be studied and solved only if there is true gender equality. The more gender equality, real acceptance and respect, the more sparks fly, then there will be a better world that can provide more opportunities for everybody. Through this, the human race can get closer to the truth, to real science, to real laws of nature, as we are just living in a pale blue dot by chance.”
- Kun Li, Chasing Modernity
“(1) The scarce academic resources should not be allocated against women simply because of gender. (2) It shouldn’t be harder for women to earn a reputation in the academy than men while both are hard-working.”
- Wang Shihan, Augmenting Culture
“There are far fewer female researchers in the industry.”
- Yidi Zeng, Chasing Modernity
“Gender equality is a human right.”
- Cheng Qiujie, Augmenting Culture
“There is still a big gender pay gap in the fields of research as well as under-representation. According to the OECD, women only comprise 40% of researchers. Having female perspectives is necessary for balanced discourse.”
- Saamiya Laroia, Chasing Modernity
Why is representation in academia important?
“It can illustrate the diversity of the team or community. It is essential for a fair community to show that no one is excluded or unpopular due to gender, race, etc.”
- Jingyi Zhu, Chasing Modernity
“It is of significance because representation helps strengthen communities.”
- Cheng Qiujie, Augmenting Culture
“Academia represents the forefront of human realism and is one of the main driving forces in understanding the world and ourselves. The results of academia will affect people's views, which in turn affect the whole society. That is, "consensus" or "recognized" ideas, will have a long-term and far-reaching impact on mankind. Only with more diversified views and more equal exploration can human beings be closer to the truth.”
- Kun Li, Chasing Modernity
“Representation provides a chance for leaders to stand out, to guide the group in the right direction, and to cheer them up.”
- Wang Shihan, Augmenting Culture
“When there is a representation of individuals from diverse backgrounds, there is a greater likelihood that a range of perspectives and experiences will be brought to the academic discourse. This can lead to a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the subject matter being studied.”
- Yidi Zeng, Chasing Modernity
“I think the goal of academia is producing a diverse and dynamic discursive context around a subject, which is impossible without balanced representation.”
- Saamiya Laroia, Chasing Modernity