Professor Uta Schlickum aims to revolutionise our understanding of bio-inspired systems and their applications. By employing advanced preparation and imaging techniques with atomic-scale spatial resolution, she is bridging the gap between physics, chemistry and biology. Her work doesn’t just observe nature; it provides the blueprint for the rational design of next-generation quantum- and bio-materials.
But in physics, groundbreaking work hasn't always guaranteed a seat at the table. Imagine conducting a Nobel Prize-worthy experiment, only to watch your male colleagues become the sole laureates. This was the reality for Chien-Shiung Wu. Her biography is a masterclass in scientific brilliance – and a sobering reminder of the fight for female recognition.
From Invisible to Visible
While the era of “invisible women” is beginning to fade, its legacy still lingers. Today, researchers like Uta Schlickum are pushing these advances forward and, step by step, helping ensure women’s contributions are seen – reclaiming the narrative through steady scientific progress.
"My generation is becoming more visible," says Uta. "Key milestones like leading an Emmy-Noether Research Group at a Max Planck Institute or receiving the Otto-Hahn-Medal changed my standing. Yet, it remains a constant challenge to stay visible especially when your research pushes outside known directions - even when published in high-ranking journals."
Breaking the Sociological Bias
The barriers aren't just found in the lab; they often start at the family table. We still hear the echoes of mothers: “I never understood physics, so why should my daughter?” Girls learn early that technical paths are “not normal”. This sociological bias requires an active, conscious effort to dismantle. Parents and mentors hold the power to either reinforce these walls or tear them down.
Redefining the Academic Environment
To support the next generation of female physicists, we must evolve beyond just acknowledging the problem. True change lies in creating a structural, family-friendly environment that removes the systemic uncertainty of future perspectives. While the flexibility of working hours technically exists in research, women shouldn't be forced into a constant, exhausting fight to claim it. Flexibility and support must become the professional standard rather than the hard-won exception.
By actively dismantling these barriers, we ensure that being a world-class researcher and having a family aren't seen as competing goals. As Uta Schlickum puts it: “I try to be a role model showing that it works – combining family and science.”
In our #PushingTheBoundaries series, we highlight our female QuantumFrontiers professors and draw attention to the challenges women face in male-dominated fields such as physics and engineering. Between International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February and International Women's Day on 8 March, we explore how women shape the field through their expertise, and discuss the changes we wish to drive forward.
