Leading women physicists from India will come together for a free international webinar highlighting both the barriers faced by women in science and the real‑world impact of physics research.
Headlining the event is Professor Shoba Shukla, one of India’s most prominent physicists, who will share how her research on high‑performance sensors and photonic devices is contributing to solutions ranging from clean water and desalination to climate‑resilient infrastructure in India and beyond.
As chair of the event, Professor Shukla – a globally recognised leader in nanophotonics and advanced materials, and a member of the Editorial Board of IOP Publishing’s Journal of Physics: Photonics – will also bring together senior women physicists from academia and industry. Speakers include Kaveri Hukku, CEO of ATOS Instruments, Asima Pradhan from IIT Kanpur and Urbasi Sinha from the Raman Research Institute, who will share their insights and experiences. Together, they will explore difficulties faced by women in higher education, practical strategies for overcoming them and emerging opportunities in physical science research.
Dr. Shobha Shukla, Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and chair of the webinar says: “This webinar brings to life the lived experiences of women physicists – including my own. We will share our journeys, the biases we have encountered and the practical ways we have navigated and overcome persistent challenges. Creating space for our stories is vital if we are serious about advancing equity and inclusion in science. When women are given a seat at the table and their expertise is valued, their research can deliver powerful real‑world impact, clearly demonstrating the societal benefits of inclusive research cultures.”
The webinar, Celebrating women in physics in India, is hosted by IOP Publishing and takes place on 23 April at 12pm IST. It is free to attend and delegates can register at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7901113001684925788