What does it take for women to build and sustain careers in science?
Stories of women who have navigated academia, industry, and research institutions are not hard to find. The Resilience and Representation in Research series was not conceived to add to the pile, but to create a space where achievements are celebrated, and struggles are acknowledged in equal measure. As Vineeta Bal writes in her Epilogue to this booklet, “very commonly, achievements are talked about, and the dark side is pushed back, the one that hurts!” She calls for more inclusive and equitable research ecosystems that enable women to thrive.
Over the past year, the series brought to the fore the lived experiences of women researchers across India, their leadership, mentorship, collaborations, and scientific discoveries, alongside the caregiving responsibilities and social expectations that shape their journeys.
Building on a dialogue among women researchers held at IIT Bombay in 2025, the articles also examined the systems — across sectors — that have shaped these careers.
The e-booklet opens with a Foreword by Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, who reminds us that it is time to celebrate not only achievements but also “the journeys behind them, the resilience, determination, and courage that define each path.”
You can read the book here.
