Dr. Freyja Ólafsdóttir, Dr. Anne-Sophie Hafner, and Dr. Marijn Kuijpers all lead research groups at the Donders Institute, each bringing unique expertise in neuroscience. Their paths to becoming PIs were not always straightforward. Freyja Ólafsdóttir recalls how she initially doubted to apply for a PI position: “I thought I was not ready to be a PI, but my colleagues encouraged me. I almost did not apply for the Donders Mohrmann Fellowship. Underestimating own capabilities may be something many women struggle with.”
Anne-Sophie Hafner, originally from France, highlights how she grew up in a male-dominated scientific environment. “During my PhD, all but one of the PIs were men, and the only female PI was the wife of the director,” she recalls. Seeking a different experience, she chose a female-led lab for her postdoc, but the imbalance remained noticeable.
For Marijn Kuijpers, a molecular neuroscientist studying neurodegeneration, the gender divide has often been subtle but persistent. “Men often have a more stable academic trajectory. Women tend to relocate more frequently, often because of their partner’s career, while men are more likely to secure tenure at the institution where they trained.”
Progress and challenges of the present
The Neurobiology section’s 50-50 gender balance is a recent and welcome development. Hafner notes that the shift has made a tangible difference: “When a department is overwhelmingly male, there’s a different dynamic. I have seen female PIs not being treated with the same level of authority as their male counterparts. This is improving now, but the perception of female scientists as junior members still lingers.”
Ólafsdóttir shares a personal experience of this bias: “When I started as PI, people often assumed I was a PhD student. Even administrative staff would respond to my inquiries with ‘Oh, that’s for PIs only.’ When I told them I was a PI, they were surprised.”
Another persistent challenge is balancing academic careers with parenthood. Kuijpers points out that while PhD students in the Netherlands receive maternity leave extensions, postdocs and early-career PIs often face difficulties. “Many grants have a fixed timeline, and while there are now some provisions, it is still hard for women to take leave without jeopardizing their career momentum.”
Ólafsdóttir, who recently had a baby, acknowledges recent improvements: “The science faculty offers financial compensation for maternity leave, which allowed me to hire someone to take over my teaching duties. But it remains a challenge to balance childcare and a demanding academic career.” Additionally, in fields where women are underrepresented, they are more frequently asked to serve on appointment and promotion committees, increasing their workload—an important effort to ensure fair representation.
Optimistic future
Despite these challenges, optimism prevails. Kuijpers notes that while progress is slow, it is happening: “We see incremental increases in the number of female professors, although still not enough. The goal is not necessarily 50-50, but it should at least be 60-40 within the next decade.”
The three researchers agree that awareness and institutional support are key. Hafner’s advice to young female scientists? “Don’t let biases affect your self-worth. If someone underestimates you, it says more about them than about you.” Ólafsdóttir adds: “Find a mentor or role model who understands your struggles. Having someone to talk to makes a huge difference.”
At the Donders Institute, the path toward gender equality is still evolving. But with increasing awareness, structural changes, and more women stepping into senior roles, the future may look promising. This International Women and Girls in Science Day is not just a celebration but about continuing the conversation and ensuring that the next generation of female scientists finds an even more inclusive academic landscape. Read more about what Donders Institute offers for diversity and sustainable science.