‘Science belongs to everyone, because it solves problems that affect everyone.’
Read about Dr Nyhan’s research on International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS).
Despite a shortage of skills in most of the technological fields driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution, women still account for only 28% of engineering graduates and 40% of graduates in computer science and informatics. Closing the gender gap in science requires breaking stereotypes, promoting role models to inspire girls, supporting women’s advancement through targeted programs.
In this article we hear from Dr Marguerite Nyhan on IDWGS.
Marguerite, tell us about your research?
I am Professor of Engineering for Sustainability at University College Cork (UCC). My research focuses on developing the science underpinning intelligent solutions for sustainable, net zero, healthy, liveable and equitable cities of the future. I also focus on environment- and climate-related policies.
In my research, I harness technology using globally scalable approaches to inform the design of sustainable and healthy cities. For example, I use data from sensor networks and technologies such as smartphones, and I apply artificial intelligence-based models to these data to better understand the sustainability pulse of cities. This includes understanding urban environmental emissions, air pollution and greenspace as well as human and transport mobility patterns. I do this in unprecedented resolution and scale, often at the scale of entire cities or megacities. I also study human exposures to the urban environment and the human health impacts of these exposures using environmental epidemiological modelling methods.
Why is an international day of women’s and girls in science important?
Women and girls are brilliant scientists and we need women and girls to solve the great challenges of our time. It is important to remind ourselves that science belongs to everyone because it solves problems that affect everyone. We need everyone’s perspective in solving science and engineering problems that are relevant to everyone. This goes beyond gender to ensure that science is welcoming, inclusive and diverse and reflects the world that we live in.
At UCC, I work with amazing people who are tremendous advocates for women in science and engineering.
