Within the framework of its outreach activities to women in industrial research, EPWS organised a Round-Table on Women in scientific careers within corporate R&D department on 13 January 2009.

This event brought together representatives from major companies to discuss the situation of women scientists in industrial research in Europe. The objective of this meeting was to understand how can companies attract highly qualified women scientists and identify appropriate selection criteria and internal polices to encourage women to continue a scientific career path within the company.

The discussion focused more particularly on the attractiveness of science and scientific careers, the concept of “career” and potential difference between women and men, the appropriateness of recruitment criteria and the necessity to clarify them and finally on the ‘age criteria’ in recruitment process. 

After fruitful exchange of views and good practices, the participants agreed to continue to debate the issue in the future. The framework of the follow up is still under discussion, but EPWS hopes that this initiative will generate innovative solutions to the lack of women in industrial research.

 On 14 January, 2009, EPWS participated in the Expolangues fair in Paris.

Expolangues is a unique event aiming at the promotion of learning languages, defending multilingualism and developing international communication.

For more information about this event, please visit its website

The European Commission was this year guest of honour at Expolangues. EPWS had the opportunity to give its view on the use of English as the communication language in Science at a roundtable entitled “Languages and Competitiveness”. Commissioner for multilingualism Leonard Orban was also present and defended the importance of multilingualism for a prosperous Europe. If Europe aims at one single currency, there will not be one unique language said Mr. Orban.

The discussion, led by Philippe Dessain, journalist at TV5, was a great exchange between the Commission, the business sector and the social actors such the trade unions and EPWS.

The platform is grateful to the Directorate General Education and Culture and in particular to Commissioner Orban for the invitation to participate in this debate. This opportunity was a great challenge for EPWS to express views in a field not directly linked with scientific research but without a doubt of great importance.