Scientific creativity and innovation thrive significantly better in diverse environments. However, in photonics – a key technology of the 21st century – such diversity is still insufficiently represented at international conferences and workshops. A recently published article in Nature Photonics by Prof. Emiliano Cortés (LMU Munich) and his co-authors, Prof. Harry A. Atwater (California Institute of Technology, USA) and Prof. Albert Polman (NWO Institute AMOLF, Netherlands), highlights this imbalance and calls for change.
Photonics conferences should focus more on diversity. (Photo: e-conversion)
Better ideas emerge when different groups interact. Therefore, scientific research benefits from the contributions of everyone. “Diversity in terms of gender, origin, nationality, regional affiliation, and other orientations is essential for creating an environment where creative thinking flourishes, and scientific discoveries find fertile ground,” emphasizes Cortés in the article. However, the reality often looks different: women and other underrepresented groups are rarely seen among the speakers or organizing teams of many photonics conferences. “This discussion began among the three of us during a conference last year when we realized this issue is pervasive,” explains Cortés.
The authors stress that the responsibility for change does not lie with underrepresented groups. “It is unreasonable to expect them to solve a problem created by male-dominated systems. That is precisely why we are writing this article as three white men. We aim to raise awareness of this issue and underscore how essential it is for men to actively participate in fostering meaningful change,” says Cortés. The article emphasizes that conferences with more diverse speaker lists are more inclusive and prosperous in content. New topics and perspectives often come from those who have been underrepresented thus far.
The message to the scientific community is clear: conference organizing teams must actively take steps to create more diverse platforms. “Such inequalities are unacceptable in the 21st century, and we must tackle them directly and resolutely to achieve sustainable change,” appeals Cortés. In the article, the three authors advocate for diversifying networks, involving women’s organizations in photonics, and using awards and recognitions as inspiration. Most importantly, they highlight the need for established scientists to use their positions to drive change. The authors hope this call to action will inspire long-term transformation and mobilize the photonics community toward a fairer and more diverse future.