Women in Science Day 2026 @ FGGA

11.02.2026

Science is fascinating, impactful, multifaceted - and female, too! To mark the International Women's Day on March 8 and the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Feb 11 , we have compiled photos of female scientists at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy - from early career scientists to Professors - to visualise the diversity, enthusiasm and commitment of women in science.

To mark the February 11, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, some of the numerous skilled, committed and inspiring women working as scientists at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy present themselves in a multifaceted photo collage with one message for all interested young women and girls, the scientists of the future: Join the "Team Science"!

Women in Science Day @ UNIVIE

Numerous other faculties, centres and research networks at the University of Vienna also take part in the campaign for Women in Science Day – please see the overview of UNIVIE. Many international institutions are also presenting campaigns around 11 February to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Join the "Team Science"

Science is fascinating, impactful, multifaceted - and female, too! A colourful and diverse photo collage of female scientists from our Faculty with a message to the female scientists of the future: Join the "Team Science"!

  • Ass.-Prof. Dr. Sudeshna Boro Saikia, Tenure Track Professor for "Exoplanetary Atmospheres", Department for Astrophysic; Emerging Field Grant of the Faculty 2021. Photo: © Sudeshna Boro Saika
  • Ass.-Prof. Dr. Theresa Nohl, Tenure-Track Professor of Geobiology, Department of Palaeontology, Photo: © Theresa Nohl
  • Dipl.-Ing. Helena Schuch, MA is a pre-doctoral researcher in Meike Levin-Keitel's Spatial Research and Planning working group. She conducts research on equity aspects in spatial planning and transport infrastructure. LinkedIn © Helena Schuch
  • Dr. Erika Faigen, is part of the working group of Michaela Trippl at the Department of Geography and Regional Research. See also her Homepage and the LinkedIn Profile.

    • Dr. Alessandra Cera, Department of Meteorology and Geophysics, employed in the MSCA project FLOAT tackling plastic pollution. LinkedIn. Photo: © Alessandra Cera
    • Anuja Raorane, BSc MSc is a Ph.D. student in the Solar System Evolution Group led by Kristina Kislyakova and a working member of the EASE (ERC) project. She works on rocky planet atmospheres where she studies non-thermal escape and stellar wind interactions with the atmospheres of Early Earth, Venus and Mars. Photo: © Anuja Raorane
    • Lilly Kormann, BSc MSc, is a PhD student in the ISM & Star Formation group led by João Alves, studying the large-scale structure of the interstellar medium in the solar neighborhood. Website Photo: © Lilly Kormann


      • Charlotte Tienes, MA Urban Studies working group, is working on the ZOE research project, which investigates the link between biodiversity loss in forest ecosystems and the emergence and spread of zoonoses. LinkedIn Photo: © Tobias Höller
      • Silke Aschauer, BSc BSc MSc is doctoral student at the Department of Palaeontology. LinkedIn. Photo: © Silke Aschauer
      • Dr. Emily Hunt, MPhys in the ISM & Star Formation research group led by João Alves at the Department of Astrophysics . In her research, she concentrates on finding and characterizing clusters of stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way. Therefore, she is applying new techniques from computer science to new data in astronomy. Additionally, she works on open-source social media protocols to help with better outreach and engagement. Website | Bluesky Photo: © Emily Hunt
      • Juliane Friedrich, B.A. MSc (WU), works at the Department of Geography and Regional Research in the Economic Geography Working Group. LinkedIn. Photo: © Juliane Friedrich

      In memoriam Anindita Dey (1988 - 2025)

      The faculty mourns the decease of Anindita Dey, postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Lithospheric Research, who passed away on 23rd of December 2025 in Malaga, Spain. Our deepest sympathy and condolences are with her family and friends.

      Anindita Dey had been working as an FWF (ESPRIT) postdoctoral researcher in the Petrology Group of the Department of Lithosphere Research since October 2024, researching the role of several competing physical and chemical factors in the formation of complex microstructures in magmatic and metamorphic rocks. 

      She was a talented scientist, a warm-hearted person and a beloved colleague. She will be greatly missed. ORCID | Google Scholar Photo: © Chayan Ghosh To the obituary

      Women in STEM

      Especially in the so-called STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - there are still fewer women than men working as scientist. In addition, science still loses many women along the career pipeline; therefore, in particular the proportion of women among professors is still low.

      This leads to two fields of action: On the one hand, it is important to make science and the career path more inclusive - but on the other hand, it is also important to encourage more women and girls to take up science and, in particular, STEM subjects. In this sense, on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the call is also directed to all interested young women and girls: Join the "Team Science", for instance at our "Faculty of Exploration"!

      Studies and research at the "Faculty for Exploration"

      The Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy is one of the most diverse faculties at the University of Vienna, covering not only all aspects of space and geosciences but also all aspects of interactions between our Earth’s environment and humans. The Faculty supports more than 4,700 students. If you are interested in our research areas and want to benefit from our wide range of degree programmes, you should definitely join us.