Women in Research @ LEC – Where Talent, Diversity and Excellence Meet

Equal opportunities and diversity are core values at the LEC. They are not an add-on, but a key success factor in conducting internationally leading research today. On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are especially pleased that our Scientific Director, Prof. Nicole Wermuth, has been honored with the Spirit Award Women in Science. This award highlights her outstanding scientific achievements and at the same time sends a strong message for the visibility and recognition of women in research—particularly in fields that have traditionally been male-dominated.

Nicole’s message to all young women in science — and those who aspire to become one:

Both in industrial research and in academia, there are excellent opportunities for young people who are passionate about contributing to the creation of new knowledge and insights. At LEC, we are working intensively on technologies that support the important path toward climate neutrality.

🔗 Here you can find the winners of the Spirit Award Women in Science: https://www.spiritofstyria.at/coverstory/neun-gewinnerinnen-und-ein-grosser-sieger/

We extend our sincere congratulations to all nominees and award recipients — a strong signal of women’s power in science and technology.

Role Models and the Next Generation of Women in Science

Alongside our role model in large-engine research, Nicole, the next generation of female researchers is already emerging at LEC. One of them is Verona Fölzer, who joined LEC through an FFG FEMtech internship for female students, completed her Bachelor’s thesis with us, and is currently working on her Master’s thesis. In an APA Science interview, she speaks about motivation, career paths, and the structural conditions for women in research:

Verona Fölzer:

 The goal should be that women in science — especially in the technical sciences — become so self-evident that dedicated women’s days are no longer needed. That would be the best-case outcome of such initiatives..

A vision the aspiring researcher hopes will become reality in the near future.

👉 Here you can find the APA Science interview: Verbesserte Großmotoren im Visier

comet2gether: Strengthening Women in Science Together

Today, we congratulate women researchers around the world, and especially the women researchers at LEC, our female alumni, and the scientists of the COMET centers. Women are driving innovation — at LEC and throughout the Styrian COMET ecosystem. Their work spans large engines and sustainable solutions for the energy and transport sectors, as well as materials science and life sciences. Together, we are committed to creating visible career paths for women in science and enabling attractive professional opportunities with a future.

#womeninscience #MechanicalEngineering #comet2gether #styrianCOMETcenters

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