Women in science, let’s make the best of social media and connect!
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Sciences 2025, I underline the crucial role of social media in amplifying women’s voices in science.
Why social media is important? Ask your friends, relatives, or colleagues, most people perceive social media as a tool for sharing lifestyle advice, trends, fashion, news, and personal updates with friends and family, as well as being an advertising medium. Yet, when used strategically in the professional sphere, social media is much more: it serves to build consensus and support, drive discussion, shape opinion, and even inspire social change. It is also a powerful means of informing audiences about new advancements, for example in science and technology. At ICARDA, an organization that researches climate-smart agriculture in one of the driest regions on Earth, we see social media as an unrivalled tool to reach the targeted audiences we need for support, interaction, and awareness.
ICARDA in collaboration with women in science, leverages social media to inspire more women to get engaged. Social media helps women and girls in science amplify their voices and connect and share knowledge with peers, helping future generations to pursue careers in science.
Women’s contribution to science
It is a reality that fewer women than men engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, which are widely regarded as critical to national economies. As a result, countless talented women scientists turn to social media to connect and encourage others to get involved.
Social media offers a wide and varied networking space, allowing users to easily craft, share, and browse diverse and inspiring content every day. we work alongside other women to make social media the go-to tool for women in science to stay connected and celebrate each other's successes, spark productive conversations, and share insights.
Networking through social media within the scientific community is achieved in different ways, such as maintaining a dedicated social media account for scientific and professional purposes, allowing users to share their latest projects, hosting Q&A sessions, creating informative and educational content, and participating in webinars – connecting women throughout. Nothing beats the feeling of being surrounded by strong, successful, ambitious women from all over the world, even virtually. The sense of empowerment and inspiration is real and invigorating.
Connecting with like-minded people is fulfilling for anyone, but as there are fewer women in science, for them it's essential, and supporting their brilliant minds is critical. A strong and strategic presence on social media connects women in science with potential donors, research organizations, and opportunities. A robust online presence helps a woman in science showcase her profile and science credentials, offers ways to directly connect with donors, and shares knowledge through digital communities. In this way, social media opens doors to funding opportunities and advances career aspirations.
Trailblazing Women
It is more important than ever for girls to have role models in science to look up to. Dr. Ismahane Elouafi is one of them.
Currently CGIAR’s Executive Managing Director, Ismahane previously held prestigious positions such as Chief Scientist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and was ranked among the 20 most influential women in science in the Islamic World by the website Muslim Science three years in a row. She remains committed to maintaining a powerful and influential social media presence.
On her X and LinkedIn accounts, Ismahane actively engages with the global community on agricultural research and development, demonstrating that women leaders have a seat at the table in decision-making to science and innovation. She does so in a positive, appealing, and professional manner, thoughtfully selecting media and photos to publish alongside her posts. She leads by example by sharing her day-to-day activities on social media, from field visits with farmers, to discussions with scientists in research centers and labs, showing her connection to science in action and connecting directly with her audience.
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi sets a powerful example for women and girls, inspiring many of us to pursue careers in science and lead with confidence.
Social media encourages more women to pursue science.
Together with other women within CGIAR’s marketing teams, we work to raise awareness about the advantages to global science and economies if more women get involved. Here again, social media is a resourceful tool for women in science.
It allows women in science to showcase their research and achievements, helping them build confidence. For instance, ICARDA's communication team often promotes organization's events, high-level interventions, and groundbreaking scientific innovations. With a focus on promoting ICARDA’s women scientists like Senior Gender Scientist Dr. Dina Najjar and her exceptional research projects that bring science-for-development from women to women. One great example is her work in integrating gender-focused aspects into research and agri-initiatives such as one research project on the use of forgotten crops by women in drylands.
Promoting science as women is not just about sharing facts or findings. It highlights women's impact on the entire industry and their critical role in the field of science. It galvanizes their involvement, celebrates their achievements, and tells their stories.
Social media is a game-changer for women in science
At ICARDA, it is our role to help elevate the visibility of women in science, affording them a platform to connect, empower, and influence future generations in science for the global good. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate and honor successful women in science and encourage more of us to get involved.
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