Our Story

In November 2019, Dr. Lina Ntokou initiated Greek Women in STEM as a personal project to showcase the achievements of Greek women scientists she encountered during her career, while also recognizing the lack of support for Greek women researchers and professionals in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine). Quickly, her initiative gained momentum with the involvement of other Greek women scientists active in STEM fields across various countries in Europe, the UK, and the USA.

Since then, guided by solidarity and the creation of a supportive community, and with the support of the non-profit organization AEGIS, our team has been working on a voluntary basis. We aim to address the stereotypes we encountered growing up in Greek society and the challenges we face in our professional careers as women scientists. Our efforts underscore the underrepresentation of women in STEM, both in academia and industry. This underrepresentation makes it difficult for women to maintain positions of decision-making authority, while the absence of many female STEM role models means that young girls do not have enough positive examples of successful women in these fields. Additionally, the lack of sufficient information about potential careers and opportunities in STEM, coupled with stereotypes and societal norms, keeps women away from STEM fields. These issues are further compounded by insufficient awareness in Greece about progress and the latest scientific developments, resulting in the continued perception that STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—are male-dominated.

Our personal need for change in these dynamics is reflected in the collective work of GWiS, gradually embraced by hundreds of Greek and Cypriot women scientists worldwide. Through a variety of initiatives and collaborations, including the establishment of the International Symposium for Greek Women in STEM and our free Mentoring Program, our team has not only grown but has also brought new perspectives to the public discourse on science in Greece.

Thus, in the summer of 2024, driven by our social responsibility and our vision for a truly equitable society without exclusions, Dr. Chrysovalantou Kalaitzidou, Dr. Danai Korre, Dr. Katerina Britzolaki, and Dr. Tatiana Charikleia Styliari, together with Dr. Lina Ntokou, co-founded the non-profit organization Greek Women in STEM. With this legal entity, we aim to expand our interventions, further strengthen support and representation for women in STEM fields, and develop partnerships with top educational institutions, organizations, and companies, aiming for a future where women have equal opportunities and access at every level of science and technology.