Physicist of the Month

Are you a physicist and would like to introduce yourself and your research? Don't hesitate to write to us at chancengleichheit@oepg.at!

July 2025

Adriana Settino, Physicist at the Institute of Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW)

About myself and my research

I am a space physicist focused on understanding how plasma—the ionized gas that fills much of the universe — behaves and impacts our planet. I conducted my studies at the University of Calabria where I achieved my master degree in Physics and my PhD in Plasma Physics. My research has taken me across several countries: from Sweden, to Spain, to Austria, where I currently work as a postdoc at the Institut für Weltraumforschung in Graz. These international experiences have allowed me to collaborate with diverse research teams and contribute to a range of space physics projects in leading institutions.    

One of the central topics in my research is the study of plasma instabilities and their influence on the large-scale dynamics of the near-Earth space. An example is the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, a process that creates vortex-like structures when two plasma flows slide past each other at different speeds. These structures are critical to how energy and particles are transported across key regions in space. By using in situ measurements from several NASA and ESA spacecraft missions orbiting around the Earth, I analyse these structures and compare them with numerical simulations models.

What can be done to achieve more equal opportunities in physics? 

If we truly want to achieve equal opportunities, we need to start early—long before university or job applications. Our society is still deeply shaped by stereotypes and rigid ideas about gender roles, often reinforced through something as simple as which toys children are “supposed” to play with or which careers they’re encouraged to imagine. Breaking these patterns requires a strong partnership between schools and families, working together to challenge the outdated notion that certain paths are only for boys or girls. Science should be introduced early, not just as a subject, but as a way to spark curiosity and build confidence. At the same time, it’s essential for students—especially girls—to see real-life examples of women thriving in scientific careers. Role models matter: they show that these paths are not only possible, but also rewarding.

Pursuing a research career often means frequent travels and relocating across countries—or even continents. While this mobility can be exciting, it also makes balancing work and family life incredibly challenging. And in a society where caregiving responsibilities still fall largely on women, it's often women researchers who face the greatest obstacles. As a result, many are discouraged from even entering this path, or eventually feel forced to choose between building a family and advancing their careers. Achieving lasting change means pushing for deeper reforms—starting with awareness among educators, institutions, and policymakers, and expanding to the broader society. We need systemic reforms that rethink how mobility, career progression, and caregiving are balanced. From institutional policies that promote flexible working conditions to cultural shifts in how we value care work, lasting change begins with acknowledging these structural barriers—and working collectively to dismantle them.

If you would like to find out more about Adriana Settino and her work, here is the link to her personal website at the ÖAW, here the link to her Research Gate profile, and the following link to the IWF-website: https://www.oeaw.ac.at/en/iwf/