Maaike van Berkel
Maaike van Berkel

Women in science: ‘You need people to show what is possible’

For decades, efforts have been made to achieve gender equality in science. But the reality is that the number of female professors still lags behind. In light of International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, Maaike van Berkel, professor of medieval history, talks about her experiences in science and gives advice to young (female) scientists.

‘Even as a girl, I loved learning,’ van Berkel says. ‘I was an enthusiastic learner who always wanted to know everything, and that has remained true.’ Although she enjoyed her studies in history and Arabic, she initially never thought of a career in science. ‘When an opportunity to do a PhD came my way, I saw it as a chance to enjoy four more years of studying.’

Even after her PhD, van Berkel did not know whether she wanted to continue as a scientist. ‘At the time, I wanted to do something more socially engaged, with more direct contact with society—such as teaching in a high school.' Finding a job in secondary education proved difficult, and she got the chance to teach at the university. 'That's how I eventually found myself in academia. I now fully appreciate the social relevance of my work, because of the research we do and the students we train.'

Maaike van Berkel

Female supervisor as role model

In her environment, van Berkel had no direct examples of people working in science. 'So my passion came mainly from my eagerness to learn. I studied in the 1990s, and most of the lecturers were men. But when I started my PhD, I had a female supervisor. She was a role model for me, not just because of her intellectual drive. But she was also a role model because she had children in addition to her academic career and always talked at length about them.'

It showed van Berkel that the combination is possible. 'And why shouldn't it be? But if you don't have examples around you, it can seem unattainable. There was a whole generation of female scientists who worked in science, but often did not choose to have a family.' van Berkel herself combines her job with caring for her two daughters.

Looking at her career, van Berkel does not feel she has had a harder time because she is a woman. She is, however, aware of the systems that can work against other women. 'Such as the well-known Old Boys Network, or the fact that women are often rated lower and need to outperform men to advance. And that as a young woman, you are taken less seriously. Here at Radboud University in history, I was the first female department chair, and I'm not even that old.'

Filling in blind spots

As a professor, van Berkel values sharing her knowledge and network with others. That is why she serves as vice chair of the Radboud Network of Female Professors. ‘We deal with classic topics such as the pay gap and the underrepresentation of female professors.’ The network also fights for broader diversity within science than just the gender division. 'If you have a reflection of society in science, you function much better. After all, everyone has blind spots, and so you fill in each other's blind spots.'

To young women, but also men in science, van Berkel would advise: ‘Don't pin yourself down to a particular career path and try to enjoy the work itself and every step. A scientific career does not always lead straightforwardly to a certain position, and it is quite difficult to secure a permanent contract. This is not always your fault either, but can also have to do with money and capacity.' That's why van Berkel advises enjoying the steps you do manage to take. 'And to my younger self I would say “Be a bit more sure of yourself”. Although doubting yourself is very human.'

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Current affairs, Diversity, Science