NCCR DFAB hosts Women in Robotics

How do women navigate careers in robotics? What challenges and opportunities shape their journeys? These were the key questions at the latest Women in Robotics event, hosted by NCCR DFAB, where speakers shared their career paths and insights with fellow women in the field.

Diverse Paths in Robotics

Helen Oleynikova, Inés Ariza, Anna Knill, and Sihui Wu offered a glimpse into their experiences across different domains—from classical engineering to robotics in architecture to rehabilitation engineering and work and organizational psychology. Discussions explored how robotics will impact the future of work in architecture, engineering, and construction. As one speaker highlighted, "The biggest challenge is to build a bridge across practices in the development, implementation, and usage of robots." Interestingly, research suggests that women tend to accept robots more readily and even enjoy interacting with them. So research and development in robotics and its related fields would greatly benefit from greater female participation and engagement.

The Power of Mentorship

A recurring theme of the event was the importance of mentorship and professional support. Key takeaways included:

• It’s okay to move between academia and industry—each offers valuable experience.
• Having a trustworthy team is invaluable.
• Great mentors can make a huge difference in career development.

To foster mentorship and hands-on learning, NCCR DFAB offers a technical internship for women in robotics at the Robotic Fabrication Lab. This opportunity, lasting between one and three months, allows women to gain experience in robotics and mechatronics. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Lea Keller for more details.

Participants could control the gantry system with ABB robots in the RFL.

About Women in Robotics

Women in Robotics is a global community supporting women and non-binary people who are interested in- or work in robotics as entrepreneurs, industry experts and academia. Their activities include local networking events, outreach, education, mentoring and the promotion of positive gender role models in the development and application of robotics.Women in Robotics started as a grassroots community to support gender positive actions in the global industry, and as a group who wanted to see more women colleagues thrive in technology roles. Get to know the network here.