CeiED is celebrating International Women's Day and, as such, is sharing 3 comments from female researchers at the Centre when confronted with the question ‘What is it like to be a woman in Academia?’.

Here are their answers:

Sónia Cardoso, integrated researcher at CeiED

‘Being a woman in academia is a complex experience, full of challenges but also many achievements. Despite women's greater access to higher education and research, the reality is still far from being truly equal. Many of the obstacles are not explicit, but are present in everyday life - from the need to constantly prove competence, to the difficulty in reaching leadership positions.

The idea still persists that certain areas of knowledge are more ‘suitable’ for women, while others, especially the exact and technological sciences, continue to be seen as male territories. This implicit division can affect funding opportunities, the way research work is recognised and even career progression. In addition, women often end up with less valued tasks within academia, such as student support or administrative duties, while men are more encouraged to focus on research and publishing - aspects that weigh more heavily on academic progression.

Harassment, meanwhile, is a problem that has been gaining more visibility, but is still far from being eradicated. Many women continue to face situations of abuse - whether sexual, moral or otherwise - and although there are more reports today than in the past, the fear of reprisals, the discrediting of victims and the lack of trust in institutional mechanisms mean that many situations go unpunished. The impunity of some perpetrators and the normalisation of certain behaviours perpetuate an academic environment where there is still a lot to change.

It is essential that academia evolves into a space where women and men have truly equal opportunities. This involves strengthening support networks, implementing effective policies and, above all, changing the institutional culture - so that talent and merit are recognised regardless of gender.’

Leanete Thomas Dotta, integrated researcher at CeiED

Being a woman in academia is a challenge, but also an immense opportunity for growth and transformation. It's an intense experience that requires resilience and a clear vision of what really matters. Between research, teaching, applying for funding, there are chaotic days - but there are also days when we realise the real value of what we do.

We face barriers - some explicit, others subtle - but there is also a growing movement for change. We are increasingly protagonists, we occupy more decision-making spaces and we end up promoting the renewal of institutional models.

Being a woman in academia is a demanding but rewarding journey. It means having the privilege of working with what we are passionate about, contributing to the development of society and opening doors for those who will come after us. Yes, there are challenges. But above all, there is enormous potential for building a more equitable, innovative and meaningful academia.

Vanessa Russo, junior researcher at CeiED

Being a woman in academia isn't easy, especially when the context is still marked by a majority presence of older men, who for years have occupied the decision-making and path-defining spaces. In this context, being part of the editorial team of Revista Lusófona de Educação is a significant step, but it doesn't erase the daily challenges of having to conquer space, voice and recognition in an environment that so often still resists change. It is important in academia to research with and for women, helping to ensure that science reflects the lives and experiences of everyone.