Women In Technology - Friday Links - 21/03/2025
Hello WIT friends,
On Thursday, we enjoyed a fun and educational workshop at the Science Gateway labs: “Build your own cloud chamber”, in which we built our very own cosmic ray detectors! Thanks to our volunteer organisers, and everyone who attended! If you are interested in volunteering to show us your lab, or helping to organise an event for our WIT community, don’t hesitate to get in touch: [email protected].
Inspired by our cloud chamber event, this week’s Friday links offer a variety of stories about clouds, climate, and space, as well as some networking and volunteer opportunities. Enjoy!
Kate, for WIT SC
Clouds and climate
How to make your own cloud chamber. In case you missed it, here is a helpful video tutorial.
Bibha Chowdhuri: a ray of light. The first Indian woman to obtain a PhD in physics, Bibha Chowdhuri’s studies of cosmic rays led to the first observation of the subatomic particles which would later be called mesons. She would go on to join the laboratory of Sir Patrick Blackett, who later won the Nobel Prize, while Bibha Chowdhuri remained in obscurity.
Giving her community joy — and tools to join climate action. People in social housing aren’t always included in conversations about climate solutions. That’s why Zamani Ra is finding ways to draw people from those communities into the environmental movement. The founder of the Toronto-based not-for-profit CEED Canada shares how workshops that start with recycling can make climate action relevant for all.
Good news and bad news from NASA
Stranded astronaut was first to run a space marathon. Suni Williams, one of the astronauts who returned to Earth this week after spending nine months aboard the International Space Station, broke the record for the most time spent spacewalking by a woman. In addition to walking in space, she has also set a record for running, with "a 2007 Boston Marathon performance that was simply out of this world”.
NASA to eliminate chief scientist position. Yet more disappointing news from the US: "NASA announced today it will eliminate its Office of the Chief Scientist, along with offices advising the agency on technology, strategy, and coordinating its diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts.” The position of Chief Scientist was most recently held by climate scientist Katherine Calvin.
Networking and volunteer opportunities
Women in Data Science Conference.
Tuesday, April 1, Geneva
At the 2025 WiDS conference, attendees will learn about latest advancements in data science during talks, gain practical skills in workshops, seize networking opportunities and much more!
July 2-27, 2025
Applications are still open for volunteers in the eight Swiss host cities. All are welcome to apply!
CERN-Fermilab Hadron Collider Physics Summer School
August 19-28, 2025 (application deadline: April 17)
The CERN-Fermilab Hadron Collider Physics Summer Schools are targeted particularly at young postdocs and senior PhD students working towards the completion of their thesis project, in both experimental High Energy Physics (HEP) and phenomenology.
Single parents Mattermost channel
A channel for single parents to exchange resources and support one another.