Leading Physicists Promote Equality at Chalmers Nordic Conference

On November 18, Chalmers University in Gothenburg will host an open lecture titled "Physics that shines: Stories of discoveries and change," featuring renowned physicists Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Jess Wade. Bell Burnell, celebrated for discovering pulsars in 1967 but notably overlooked for the Nobel Prize, was awarded the 2018 Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics and plans to use the prize money to support underrepresented groups in physics. Jess Wade, from Imperial College London, is acclaimed for her advocacy of gender equality in STEM, having created over 2000 Wikipedia pages highlighting women and minorities, alongside authoring children’s books on science topics. The event is part of the Nordic Network for Diversity in Physics (NORNDiP) conference and aims to inspire curiosity about physics while promoting inclusivity. Susanne Aalto, the first woman to earn a PhD in radio physics in Sweden, will open the event discussing women’s progress in physics. The conference offers panel discussions and a Q&A for students, reflecting Chalmers' commitment to lowering barriers and fostering connections among researchers and young learners. The event is free, sponsored by Chalmers' Genie initiative focused on equality.

Organizers, including Anders Johansson and Genie coordinator Maria Saline, emphasized the goal of inspiring attendees and creating a network that supports diversity in academia. Prorector Maria Elmquist highlighted Chalmers' leadership role in promoting equality through such initiatives.