ÖPG
Archive - Physicist of the Month 2025
January 2025
Ingrid Krumphals, Professor for Physics Didactics at the PH Steiermark
About myself and my work
Ever since early childhood, I have always been interested in the question - why? Because of my curiosity and my frequent questions, those around me were often confronted with this and often had to explain it. This goal of understanding nature and then being able to explain it to others ultimately led me to study physics teaching. After a few years of teaching and studying for a doctorate, I took the path into science and am now a professor of physics didactics.
So I am specifically concerned with how physics can best be learned and taught, in particular how physics content can be conveyed in an understandable, exciting and effective way. Through my research, I want to contribute to the positive development of the educational landscape so that young people are better prepared for the challenges of the future.
For me, the focus is particularly on promoting future literacy - the ability to actively prepare for future developments - and scientific literacy - the ability to think scientifically and make well-founded decisions. These two skills are essential to act safely and independently in a rapidly changing world. I am convinced that education is the key to enabling a sustainable, fair and good or better future for all.
What can be done to achieve more equal opportunities in physics?
In my opinion, equal opportunities will be achieved when we stop thinking in terms of differences and finally live equality as a matter of course. Instead of concentrating on the differences between people in their diversity dimensions (such as gender, origin, ethnicity), we should focus on what connects us as people. An inclusive culture begins where we see diversity as a strength, not a challenge.
A sentence that particularly inspires me comes from Ursula von der Leyen:
"If we include all talents, we can make the impossible possible."
To promote equal opportunities in the field of physics, we need not only role models, i.e. visible role models who show that physics is for everyone. We need the whole of society: e.g. radio or television presenters who speak positively about physics (and STEM subjects) and arouse interest instead of labeling physics as difficult; Parents who encourage their children to follow their natural curiosity about the world and discover physics as something exciting and, above all, helpful; and simply all people who do not see physics as something abstract or difficult, but at least approach it with an open, neutral attitude. This collective support creates an atmosphere in which young people are encouraged to go their own way - regardless of stereotypes or prejudices.
I have experienced for myself how important it is not only to demand equal opportunities, but to actively live them - from an early age. It begins in education, in lessons and in everyday encounters, in which we encourage children and young people to look beyond the "socialized horizon". We should encourage everyone not only to see opportunities, but also to use them and live them. Particularly in my position as a woman in a leadership role, I have learned that true strength lies in supporting others and creating space for new perspectives. Equal opportunities means not only giving everyone access, but also giving them the courage to go their own way. Another important aspect is to consciously consider other dimensions of diversity: origin, gender, social background or individual living conditions. We all have the responsibility to see this diversity as an enrichment.
"Diversity drives innovation - without it, we lose out on the perspectives that can change the world." – Megan Smith
Ingrid Krumphals is a professor of physics education and director of the Center for Didactics Research in Science and Technology Education at the Styrian University of Education. If you would like to learn more about her and her work, here is the link to her website and here is the link to the NATech Center (both websites only available in german).
Februar 2025
Iva Březinová, Assistant Professor for Theoretical Physics at the TU Vienna
About myself and my research
From a scientifically early age on, I was fascinated by quantum mechanics and how quantum effects play a role in everyday things surrounding us, from the properties of materials to modern technology. Even more fascinating to me is the fact that we have the mathematical tools to describe all these effects, namely the Schrödinger equation. The Schrödinger equation can be formulated for virtually arbitrarily complex systems, but we can only solve it for systems with very few particles, even using today's largest supercomputers. Thus, our considerable understanding of the microscopic world is based almost entirely on approximate methods for solving the Schrödinger equation. Historically, the focus has been on systems in equilibrium, but more recently, as the experimental tools have become available, research has turned to systems strongly driven by external fields. In this way, we have a tuning knob that allows us both to explore quantum systems with unprecedented control and to induce new properties that can potentially be exploited in future quantum technological applications. This is the starting point of my research. My group and I focus on finding methods to approximately solve the Schrödinger equation for non-equilibrium and driven systems in cases where correlations between the particles are important. In applying our methods, our interests are very broad, but we always strive to study systems that are experimentally relevant. These systems range from multi-electron atoms to two-dimensional materials.
What can be done to achieve more equal opportunities in physics?
If we want to increase the number of women studying physics, we have to start early, and female physicists as role models seem to be an important tool. Statistics at my university indicates that an overwhelming number of our female students have benefited from a network of family members or friends with a STEM background when deciding what to study. This data suggests that we are losing young women who do not have access to such networks. Schools and outreach activities at universities could help address this imbalance by showing that being a physicist is a great career for women as well. Speaking of careers, I see another area for action. From my personal experience, it is much more difficult for women to combine a career and a family with small children, mainly because early childcare is almost exclusively taken over by women. These career breaks then overlap with critical periods in the scientific career, making it difficult to compete with colleagues without childcare obligations. Therefore, it is crucial to take into account the academic age corrected for childcare and other career breaks when evaluating the performance of scientists. In my opinion, the care of very young children should increasingly be perceived as something that is shared equally by both partners, both in academia and in industry. In this way, career breaks due to childcare would not almost exclusively affect women. Unfortunately, we are far from that. In academia, an additional stumbling block is the fact that a scientific career requires a high degree of mobility and a willingness to spend years on short-term contracts. It would help young scientists in general, but especially women who plan to have families, if it were possible to get a position that would allow them to plan their careers earlier.
Iva Březinová is assistant professor for theoretical physics at the Vienna University of Technology and a member of the Erwin Schrödinger Center for Quantum Science & Technology (ESQ) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. If you would like to learn more about her and her work, here is the link to her research group's website and here is the link to her ÖAW website.
March 2025
Ille C. Gebeshuber, Associate Professor for Experimental Physics at the TU Vienna
About myself and my research
My name is Ille C. Gebeshuber. I am Associate Professor of Experimental Physics at the Institute of Applied Physics at the Vienna University of Technology. My academic career began with a degree in Technical Physics at the Vienna University of Technology, followed by a doctorate in Technical Sciences. In my diploma and doctoral theses, I focussed intensively on hearing theory and investigated how our ear perceives tiny signals.
I am currently working on bionics, an interdisciplinary field of research that draws inspiration from biological structures, materials and processes to develop sustainable technical innovations. I am particularly interested in researching bio-based and biodegradable materials that can be used to create functional structures. Inspired by nature, which uses local resources and water-based chemistry to achieve efficient and sustainable solutions, I endeavour to apply insights from bionics. My work is characterised by an interdisciplinary perspective; my students come from the fields of physics, materials science, chemistry, architecture, economics and art. I also collaborate with the University of Applied Arts to teach art-based research to student teachers in the Department of Technology and Design.
What can be done to achieve more equal opportunities in physics?
In order to achieve equal opportunities in physics, it is of great importance to present children with inspiring role models at an early age who can introduce them to the fascination and exciting possibilities of physics. Physics enables us to be curious throughout our lives, to ask questions and to actively contribute to improving our future. If girls and boys are treated and encouraged equally from the outset, there will be no rigid role categorisation into ‘male’ or ‘female’ professions. Increased diversity in physics opens up a wide range of perspectives and enriches the spectrum of issues that need to be investigated.
I am actively committed to equal opportunities and am active as a representative on the Working Group for Equal Opportunities and in various outreach programmes at TU Wien. These include the Daughters' Day, the “Women in Technology” initiative and other programmes aimed at getting young people interested in physics, regardless of their gender or background.
My earliest experiences of unequal treatment came later. As a child, I was able to pursue my interest in science unhindered. During my studies, however, a professor asked me during an exam: ‘Why are you studying physics and not at home at the cooker?’ I answered simply: ‘I love physics. For me, it's the most exciting and fundamental subject area.’ That settled the debate.
In the course of my career, I have experienced both disadvantages and targeted support. Overall, I feel the balance is balanced. Times have clearly changed and we are now in a position to actively contribute to the promotion of equal opportunities. Physics is open to everyone - and it is a rewarding journey of discovery through this fascinating world.
Ille C. Gebeshuber is Associate Professor of Experimental Physics at the Vienna University of Technology and an expert in bionics, nanotechnology and tribology. She combines interdisciplinary research with science communication and outreach work. If you would like to find out more about her and her work, here is the link to her website.
April 2025
Carolin Hahn, independent Management Consultant, Linz
About myself and my research
I set up my own business as a management consultant almost seven years ago and support companies, but occasionally also research institutions and universities in technology marketing, science communication and strategic issues.
I often act as an interpreter between technicians on the one hand and ‘normal’ people on the other. I benefit from my mix of experience from my physics degree and doctoral thesis in quantum optics, my time in science management at a large accelerator laboratory and an MBA in strategic management, which I added on while working. So I've found a sweet spot and can earn my money doing things that I've always enjoyed and that mostly don't feel like work at all. What I really enjoy is the enormous variety in my everyday life. The topics range from X-ray images of Egyptian mummies to quantum cryptography in space to ‘Hey, we have a very physical set of slides about a fusion power plant, can you prepare it so that we can take it to the Federal Minister of Education and Research?’
As a sideline, I am a mum to two wonderful little people with whom I am currently discovering the world all over again. Here, too, my independence and the freedom that comes with it help me a lot.
What can be done to achieve more equal opportunities in physics?
I think visibility and role models are hugely important - from an early age, so that children don't get the idea that STEM subjects are not for women.
I believe that well-developed childcare is at least as important, because it determines whether a woman comes to work or not. For me, this also includes a partnership at eye level, which unfortunately is often not the case in our society... I have a great husband with whom I can share the family work well. For example, he really has taken over half of my parental leave to keep my back free. In Austria, however, only one per cent of fathers take six months or more of parental leave and the figures are actually falling (see https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000240848/immer-weniger-maenner-gehen-in-karenz-woran-liegt-das, for example). Unfortunately, it is obvious that this does not necessarily increase equal opportunities, regardless of the field of work. There are many reasons for this, but I always have to think of the beautiful and wise saying: ‘Those who want something will find ways. Those who don't will find reasons.’
If you would like to find out more about Carolin Hahn and her work, you can find the link to her website here: www.carolinhahn.com
May 2025
Doris Stoppacher, Astrophysicist at the University of Seville
About myself and my research
I am an astrophysicist, born in Styria in 1986, completed my master's degree in Graz and then my doctorate in Madrid. I then worked as a postdoctoral researcher in California and later went to Chile for two years on a research fellowship. I have been back in Spain since 2024 and work at the University of Seville.
My main research area is the formation and evolution of galaxies. I work with numerical simulations and computer modelling to investigate how faint, diffuse galaxies form. We have named our project ‘Hidden Figures in the Sky’ in homage to the three African-American female mathematicians.
What can be done to achieve more equal opportunities in physics?
I think that small and consistent steps towards equality are necessary. This starts, for example, with gender-sensitive and gender-equitable language. In English, the term "scientist" is gender-neutral and does not imply the gender of the person it refers to. However, in other languages - such as German or the Romance languages (e.g. Spanish, French, Italian) - scientific professions are often gendered. For instance, German distinguishes between Wissenschaftler (male scientist) and Wissenschaftlerin (female scientist), and Spanish between científico and científica. This influence the perceptions of gender roles in science. The same applies to gender-inclusive language that recognises that we live in a non-binary society.
In German, it has been customary in recent decades to predominantly use the generic masculine. If I only ever talk in German about "male scientists" (männliche Wissenschaftler), "male physicists" (männliche Physiker) or "male professors" (männliche Professoren), the male image sticks and thus reduces the visibility of other genders. Even if it may seem awkward at first to always say ‘scientists and scientists’ (Wissenschaftler und Wissenschaftlerin; científico y científica), this has a positive impact in the long term because girls and women can identify better with these professions as a result. Language shapes our thinking, our imagination and the way we relate to ourselves. I realised this myself when I was learning Spanish. I could no longer use the generic masculine to refer to myself because it is not common in this language.
I regularly give talks at schools where the topic of stereotypes in science is an integral part of the programme. I want to show children and young people how deeply rooted the clichés of the crazy, nerdy scientist and the strangely dressed, unattractive female scientist are in us - and that we often even unconsciously perceive them as funny.
I also believe that men in particular should actively campaign for equal rights and equal treatment. They should take a clear stance and see themselves as allies on this journey. Equal treatment also does not mean treating everyone exactly the same, but rather meeting them individually where they are at the moment - be it in terms of their background, their life experiences or their current circumstances. People with caring responsibilities, for example, have different requirements for their workplace than those without - keywords: academic events in the evening, childcare at conferences, etc. Managers in particular can help to create a fairer working environment by being more responsive to these needs.
One of my negative experiences was that I realised that my opinion often counted less. Male colleagues tended to be promoted, while I was often overlooked or automatically assigned paperwork. Workshops and conferences dealing with the topic of equal rights were sometimes ridiculed or even boycotted.
In retrospect, I very much regret one particular life decision. I have always had a strong interest in science and would have liked to attend a higher technical school, where there were perhaps only two or three girls per year at the time. I often looked at the records of my friend who attended such a school and admired her greatly for it. Unfortunately, as a teenager I didn't trust myself to follow this path. I was also afraid of being exposed to discrimination and abuse. In the end, I did manage to realise my dream and become a scientist - albeit with considerable detours.
My positive experiences include, above all, the equality initiatives that I have learnt about abroad. I think Austria still has a lot of catching up to do in this area. Spanish and South American universities and research centres are far ahead of us in their willingness to talk about this topic. In Austria, I often encounter negative reactions when I talk about gender equality or gender roles, whereas Spain even has its own initiative called ‘Women and Astronomy’. It offers (peer) mentoring and networking programmes that have helped me a lot personally.
If you would like to find out more about Doris Stoppacher and her work, you can find the link to her website here: https://dstoppacher.github.io/
June 2025
Christine Maier, Quantum Engineer at Alpine Quantum Technologies (AQT)
About myself and my research
Even as a child, I was fascinated by the natural sciences, the vastness of the universe, the formation of mountains, animals and plants; but most of all I was fascinated by the idea that there should be something so tiny that I can't see it in everyday life, but at the same time everything is made of it - atoms! At the University of Innsbruck I learnt more about atoms, quarks, electrons and quanta. It soon became clear that quantum physics was going to be my specialism and so I finally completed my doctoral studies in the research group of Prof. Rainer Blatt and Dr Christian Roos at IQOQI Innsbruck. My dissertation focused on setting up, conducting and analysing experiments on a quantum simulator with up to 20 calcium ions in a linear Paul trap, as well as on methods for characterising the states of large quantum systems.
Since 2020, I have been working as a quantum engineer at AQT (Alpine Quantum Technologies) in Innsbruck, building, maintaining and optimising - how could it be otherwise - quantum computers.
What can be done to achieve more equal opportunities in physics?
I think the first step needs to be taken at an early age: namely to encourage children's innate curiosity about nature and technology, regardless of their gender. By this I mean, for example, providing or motivating an introduction to technical toys, reading out nature-related, scientific children's books and small home experiments. This would at least give all children the same opportunity to see engaging with science as a natural, everyday thing and to consolidate their potential interest in it.
The next step is to ensure that young women do not suppress their scientific curiosity due to stigmatisation and ‘fear of stepping out of line’. An important tool for this is certainly the better visualisation of role models such as female physics teachers and active female physicists in industry and research.
Finally, equal opportunities must be ensured in everyday working life, both in academia and in industry. An appeal must be made to employers and politicians, on the one hand with regard to the fair allocation of jobs and on the other hand with regard to better opportunities to combine family planning and a career.
If you would like to find out more about Christine Maier and her work, here is the link to an article about her dissertation (only available in German), here is an article about the dissertation prize she was awarded and here is the link to the AQT website: https://www.aqt.eu/