The IEEE Photonics Sweden Chapter, in partnership with dedicated volunteers from RISE and members of the broader nitride semiconductor community, proudly hosted the “Women in Nitrides” event during the 15th International Conference on Nitride Semiconductors (ICNS15) in Malmö, Sweden.
Held on July 7, 2025, this impactful event created a vibrant platform where scientists, engineers, students, and industry leaders came together to explore community issues with a strong emphasis on connecting, supporting, and inspiring females worldwide, and facilitating their recruitment and retention in STEM fields, the mission of the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) program. This event and the program actively encourages participation from all individuals, regardless of gender or background.
The evening began with welcoming remarks from Prof. Lars Samuelson, ICNS15 co-chair (Lund University/SUSTech), and continued with a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Prof. Qin Wang (RISE/KTH), who also serves as the IEEE Associate Vice President of Women in Photonics (2024–2026) and is a member of the IEEE Diversity Oversight Committee. The distinguished panel featured: Oskar Fajerson, CEO, Polar Light Technologies AB, Sweden; Guanxu Ju, Beijing University, China; Anna Kafar, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland; Elke Meissner, Fraunhofer IISB, Germany; Tim Wernicke, Technical University Berlin, Germany; Grace Xing, Cornell University, USA.
Panelists discussed topics including inclusive leadership, managing multidisciplinary teams, professional transitions from team member to leader, and actionable strategies to support early-career researchers. They also explored how inclusive practices are vital for harnessing the full potential of emerging fields like artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
Following the panel, a round table discussion led by Prof. Denis Music (Malmö University) encouraged deeper, more personal engagement. The dialogue extended well beyond the scheduled time, a clear testament to the energy, relevance, and demand for these conversations.
A few hundred attendees, spanning disciplines and career stages, joined the session, actively participating and sharing their own reflections. Their presence and engagement demonstrated a strong appetite within the scientific community for more inclusive environments that support the growth of all researchers.
The event was widely praised by participants and organizers alike. Carine Nilsson, Chair of Malmö City Council, acknowledged the event during her remarks at the ICNS15 reception, stating: “Science is for everyone!”
The initiative also gained visibility beyond the conference itself. For example, Malin Berglund from Svensk Elektronik celebrated the event as a key highlight of ICNS15 in her LinkedIn post, emphasizing how vital such forums are for encouraging connection, collaboration, and recognition of women in the field.
To further elevate the conversation, Qin Wang conducted a series of interviews during ICNS15 with professors, scientists, and PhD students, focusing on Women-in-STEM topics, especially in photonics and quantum technologies. These interviews aim to provide deeper insights and further inspire others within and beyond the IEEE community. Buoyed by positive feedback and a renewed sense of purpose, the organizing team has already begun planning a follow-up event at ICNS16.
When IEEE chapters take the initiative to host such events at major conferences, they empower the next generation by showcasing relatable role models who have navigated challenges and achieved leadership positions and foster mentorship connections that might not otherwise form, helping early-career researchers build networks and receive guidance.
