Marie Curie: A Pioneer in STEM and the Chemistry of Her Discovery

Celebrating the 120th anniversary of Marie Curie's Nobel Prize in Physics today, we continue our Chemistry Chronicles series with a tribute to this STEM pioneer. From her humble beginnings in Warsaw to her groundbreaking discoveries that revolutionized science, Marie Curie's story serves as an enduring beacon of inspiration. In the footsteps of last week's entry on Schrödinger's atomic orbital model, we delve into Curie's remarkable journey, her revolutionary discoveries in radioactivity, and her ongoing legacy in a world where gender equality in STEM remains a challenge.

The Chemistry of Marie Curie's Discoveries:

Central to Curie's scientific work was her exploration into the mysterious phenomena of radioactivity. Alongside her husband Pierre, Curie discovered two new elements – Polonium, named after her native Poland, and Radium, derived from the Latin word 'radius', meaning ray. These elements, found in a mineral called pitchblende, were remarkable due to their spontaneous emission of energy, a process now known as radioactive decay.

Radioactive decay transpires when an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation in the form of alpha, beta, and gamma rays. In Radium, the decay chain begins with the emission of an alpha particle, transforming the atom into Radon. As the decay continues, energy is constantly emitted, leading to the characteristic glow of Radium.

Curie's ground-breaking studies on the radioactivity of these elements led to the development of new fields of research, new methods of medical treatment, and a fresh understanding of atomic nature.

Women in STEM in 2023:

Fast forward to the present day, and the landscape for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) continues to be challenging, albeit with significant strides made.

A report by McKinsey underlines that women represent the best solution to Europe's tech-talent shortage, indicating that women could constitute 50% of the STEM talent pool if gender parity were achieved [1]. However, the report also underscores the ongoing underrepresentation of women in tech, constituting only 16% of the workforce.

The MIT Professional Education blog [2] acknowledges the persistent gender gap in STEM fields. It points out causes ranging from stereotypes and unconscious biases to a lack of female role models. Yet, the blog also mentions the proactive steps many organisations are taking to address these issues, including support programmes for women in STEM, mentorship initiatives, and efforts to elevate the visibility of female STEM professionals.

Enago Academy's 2023 article on empowering women in STEM [3] echoes these sentiments. It underscores the 'double bind' of gender and racial/ethnic bias often faced by women in STEM fields. Yet, it also discusses the increasing recognition of the need to confront this issue and the endeavours made towards fostering a more inclusive STEM environment.

Marie Curie's legacy continues to inspire women in STEM fields worldwide. Her pioneering work broke down barriers, challenging societal norms of her time and paving the way for future generations of women scientists. The journey towards gender equality in STEM, as highlighted in these articles, is far from over.

As we persist in striving for change and progress, we can draw inspiration from Marie Curie's relentless determination and substantial contributions. Her story serves as a potent reminder of the impact that one passionate individual can make, igniting change and leaving an indelible mark on the scientific world.

Challenges to achieving gender parity in STEM fields remain, but we mustn't overlook the progress made. For instance, in the UK, the number of women in engineering has doubled from 7% in 2001 to 14% in 2021 [4]. Similarly, the proportion of women working in the digital sector has seen a modest but crucial increase, now constituting 24% of the workforce, up from 19% in 2013 [5].

Globally, women now make up 33% of researchers, a significant step up from previous figures [6]. In addition, organisations around the world are acknowledging the benefits of diversity and inclusivity, making concerted efforts to attract and retain women in STEM roles [7].

However, the pace of change, though promising, is measured. The McKinsey report underscores the potential of increasing the number of women in tech as a significant solution to Europe's talent shortage [8]. Simultaneously, the persistent gender pay gap and underrepresentation in leadership roles indicate there is more work to do [9].

In pursuing a more balanced future in STEM, a multi-pronged approach is necessary:

1. Challenging Stereotypes: From a young age, education systems should actively work towards debunking gender stereotypes about STEM fields [10].

2. Increasing Visibility of Women in STEM: Regularly showcasing successful women in STEM careers can inspire young girls and provide them with a tangible path to emulate [11].

3. Mentorship and Networking Opportunities: Mentorship programmes and professional networks can offer the necessary support and guidance for women pursuing and working in STEM careers [12].

4. Inclusive Work Culture: Businesses must strive to create an inclusive work culture, providing equal opportunities and recognising women's contributions [13].

5. Policy Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers to advocate for policies that support and encourage women's participation in STEM is critical [14].

Marie Curie's journey is a testament to the power of determination and passion. She once said, 'I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy.' True to her words, the road to gender parity in STEM might not be swift or easy, but the progress we've witnessed thus far gives us hope. As we continue this journey, let's ensure that every girl who dreams of becoming the next Marie Curie knows that her dream is achievable.

References

[1] McKinsey & Company. (2022). Women in Tech: The best bet to solve Europe's talent shortage. 

[2] MIT Professional Education. (2023). The Gender Gap in STEM. 

[3] Enago Academy. (2023). Empowering Women in STEM. 

[4] Royal Academy of Engineering. (2021). Diversity and Inclusion Data. UK Statistics.

[5] Tech Nation Report. (2023). Diversity in Tech. UK Statistics.

[6] UNESCO Institute for Statistics. (2023). Women in Science. Global Statistics.

[7] Enago Academy. (2023). Empowering Women in STEM.

[8] McKinsey & Company. (2023). Women in Tech: The Best Bet to Solve Europe’s Talent Shortage.

[9] MIT Professional Education. (2023). The Gender Gap in STEM.

[10] National Girls Collaborative Project. (2023). Encouraging Girls to Pursue STEM.

[11] WISE Campaign. (2023). Women in STEM: The Achievers.

[12] Mentoring Women in STEM Network. (2023). The Importance of Mentorship.

[13] European Institute for Gender Equality. (2023). Gender Equality in the Workplace.

[14] European Commission. (2023). Policies to Promote Girls in STEM.