NEW DELHI: Leading women physicists from India are set to come together for a free international webinar that will spotlight both the persistent barriers faced by women in science and the transformative real-world impact of physics research in addressing global challenges.
The event will bring into focus the journeys of some of the country’s most respected women scientists, while also underlining how their work is shaping solutions in areas such as clean energy, water security, advanced materials and climate-resilient technologies.
Headlining the session is Professor Shobha Shukla, one of India’s leading physicists and a globally recognised expert in nanophotonics and advanced materials.
She will share insights from her pioneering research on high-performance sensors and photonic devices, which are being applied to critical real-world problems ranging from clean water access and desalination technologies to sustainable infrastructure development.
Professor Shukla, who also serves on the Editorial Board of IOP Publishing’s Journal of Physics: Photonics, will chair the webinar and bring together an eminent panel of senior women scientists from both academia and industry.
Among the speakers are Kaveri Hukku, CEO of ATOS Instruments, Asima Pradhan from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, and Urbasi Sinha from the Raman Research Institute. Each of them will reflect on their scientific journeys, sharing personal experiences, challenges faced in traditionally male-dominated spaces, and the pathways they carved out in advanced research and innovation.
The discussion will go beyond individual narratives to examine systemic challenges in science education and research, including gender bias, limited representation in leadership roles, and structural barriers that often hinder women from fully realising their potential in STEM fields. At the same time, it will highlight emerging opportunities in cutting-edge areas of physical sciences and technology.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr. Shobha Shukla said the webinar is designed to bring forward the lived realities of women physicists and the lessons drawn from their journeys.
“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,” she said.
Organised by IOP Publishing, the webinar titled Celebrating Women in Physics in India will be held on April 23 at 12 pm IST. The session is free and open to participants, aiming to encourage dialogue, visibility and collaboration across the global physics community while inspiring the next generation of women scientists.
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