Meet Annette from Norway

She is a professor of chemistry education and historian of chemistry at NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She holds a masters degree of science in chemistry education and a PhD in the education of history of chemistry. She also advocates for women in science. She said, “We tend to think that in this day and age that the gender gap in science has closed but in reality we need more work.” Annette co-edited the book “Women in Their Element.” The book highlights women’s contributions to the periodic table. There are very few texts that exist which do so. Annette is passionate about supporting the possibility for women to be equal in her profession. She said, “there is still a lot of discrimination going on which I have seen and experienced firsthand. It is still very hard for women to raise a family while staying current and proficient in their field. Men have the ability to not miss a beat once their children are born. Women have been struggling with that set back in their careers for years. It’s a hard competition. In Norway, there is quite a good support system set up for women but it took me two years after giving birth to really feel like I had caught up with everything. There are so many changes that happen within a woman’s body after giving birth that settling into a new way of life takes time.” While women fight to be seen, heard, and respected in their careers, Annette believes that it is possible to achieve a level playing field with hard work, grit, and determination. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “With all your heart and soul fight for what you believe in.” Thank you for visiting and sharing your story, Annette and thank you for all you are doing for women in science.