In an interview, Prof. Magdalena Żadkowska reflects on the findings of a study she co-authored, revealing that female scientists often face career-ending obstacles at the doctoral level and lack mutual support in professional development. Despite increased awareness and discussions surrounding these issues, little has changed, demonstrating a persistent cultural challenge within Polish academia. She emphasizes how societal expectations for individual success hinder collaborative growth among women in science.

Žadkowska notes that the competitive nature of Polish culture leads to a situation where women are not only discouraged from pursuing long-term scientific careers but also fail to build supportive networks that could aid their progress. This reinforces a cycle where talented individuals leave academia, resulting in significant losses for the scientific community. She calls for a shift in mindset from viewing individual success as the only measure of achievement to encouraging a more collaborative and supportive academic environment.

The implications of her observations are critical, as they suggest that without significant change, the representation of women in science will continue to falter, thus only partially reflecting the world’s diversity. Achieving gender equity in academia requires concerted efforts to foster community and supportive relationships among female scientists while addressing the broader cultural standards that emphasize competition over collaboration.