My biggest challenge was starting my undergraduate studies in Informatics in 1987, at a time when I had never used, or even seen, a computer before. Then again, when I went to grad school in the US. Adapting to a completely new field, a new country, and developing the necessary technical skills from scratch was challenging.

I would encourage girls and women to be curious, confident, and persistent. Computer science and technology need diverse perspectives, and there is no reason to see these fields as “men’s fields.” Build strong foundations, seek mentors and supportive communities, and do not be afraid to take on challenging opportunities.

Be curious, believe in your abilities, and do not be afraid to take up space in the technology sector. Build strong skills, seek mentors and supportive networks, and embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. Check out networks such as eugain.eu

I would also like to see inclusive practices become embedded in institutional culture, rather than treated as separate initiatives. And achieve what Norway has achieved: the percentage of female applicants to computer science studies in Norway has reached 36.7%.

At the time there was too much discrimination against women in the mentality of the Greek society, even from university professors who were about 94% of the total faculty. Some men, like my math teacher and my father encouraged me in pursuing maths. My family was strongly supporting success in school and in university studies. The greatest opportunity was to be able to go abroad (Warwick U) for postgraduate studies. The main threat was the time I was loosing in analyzing bad behavious toward me.

Do not hesitate, go for it. Mathematics is a great, deeply satisfactory area of Science.

Things have largely changed by now, women colleagues are welcome and appreciated. Do not forget to always be serious and professional.

To have more representation of women in higher ranks of academic positions as well as in administration (deans, vice-rectors, rectors).

During my studies at the polytechnic university, my biggest challenges within the SWOT framework were managing the high academic workload and navigating a heavily male-dominated field.
* **Weaknesses (Internal Challenge):** Initially, balancing the rigorous theoretical demands of advanced mathematics with the fast-paced, hands-on requirements of computer science was a major test of my time-management skills.
* **Threats (External Challenge):** Coming into a STEM field where women were significantly underrepresented felt intimidating at first. However, I chose to view this “threat” as an **Opportunity**. It motivated me to work harder, build resilience, and excel academically, which ultimately paved the way for my transition into the demanding fields of Cryptography and Cyber Security.

My advice to girls and women aspiring to enter the fields of Cryptography and Cyber Security is simple: “Go for it without hesitation.” This is a highly dynamic sector with incredible market demand and excellent career opportunities worldwide. Digital security is more critical than ever, and the industry is actively looking for skilled professionals. As women, your unique perspectives, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills are not just welcome—they are necessary. Do not let stereotypes hold you back. You have the potential to truly stand out, innovate, and **make a real difference** in shaping the future of technology.

As we enter the era of Artificial Intelligence, lacking advanced digital skills will soon be the equivalent of being illiterate. While the daily reality of the job market can still be tough and hostile on paper, do not let that deter you. This sector offers incredible career prospects and immense market demand. By mastering tech, AI, and cybersecurity, you are not just securing a powerful future—you are bringing a vital perspective that will disrupt stereotypes and **make a real difference** in shaping the digital world.

By 2030, I want to see DEIS evolve from bureaucratic paperwork and formal committees into a tangible, daily reality.

Specifically, I hope to see:

* **Massive Tech Reclamation:** A definitive end to women distancing themselves from IT. As AI skills become the new baseline for basic literacy, women must actively master these tools to avoid being left behind.
* **A Fairer Job Market:** A shift away from the hostile biases that still exist on the ground, making women in highly demanding fields like Cryptography and Cyber Security the norm rather than the exception.

Ultimately, my vision for 2030 is an environment where women are not just included, but are actively leading the digital revolution.

Strengths: Strong interest in creativity, along with the ability to combine artistic thinking with analytical skills.
Weaknesses: At times, balancing creative interests with more structured subjects was demanding.
Opportunities: My work as an educator with a technical orientation encouraged me to pursue STEM-related paths and develop my skills further.
Threats: Limited access at times to advanced resources and the challenge of choosing between different career paths that interested me equally.
Overall, these challenges helped me build resilience, adaptability, and a multidisciplinary perspective that continues to influence my professional role today.

Believe in yourself and don’t let stereotypes limit your choices. STEM and vocational fields offer exciting opportunities for creativity and innovation. Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to take on challenges. With confidence and persistence, you can succeed and make a real impact

Keep learning, stay curious, and embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. With determination and passion, you can build a meaningful career and inspire others along the way.

By 2030, I envision a fully inclusive vocational education sector where diversity thrives, women lead in STEM, and sustainability is embedded in every aspect of learning, empowering all students to shape a better future.

I think I faced the usual challenges and obstacles of any competitive environment. A more gender-specific challenge was that, as I was often in the minority, it was sometimes harder to connect socially.

My belief is that the most important thing is for people, regardless of gender, to choose a field of study that truly makes them happy. Then, they should study hard, build confidence, not be afraid to ask for advice, and learn to filter out comments that diminish them.

Computer science is a rapidly evolving field, so it is important to keep studying and learning, follow new developments, and be ready to adapt.

I hope that by 2030 DEIS will no longer need to be singled out, because these principles will be naturally embedded in the field.

NA

Do what you like.

Enjoy what you do

NA

A manly environment.

They should do it only if really they want it because the environment is tough.

To be devoted in what they are doing.

Recognition of women contribution in scielce.

During my studies, my biggest challenges were managing a heavy workload and adapting to new digital learning tools. Some STEM courses required deep problem-solving, which was initially overwhelming.

My advice to girls and women who want to pursue studies in STEM is to believe in their curiosity and capabilities. Don’t be intimidated by stereotypes or the challenges that may arise in traditionally male-dominated fields.

My advice to girls and women who want to work in STEM is to follow your curiosity and trust your abilities. Seek out mentors, embrace challenges, and don’t be afraid to explore new technologies and methods.

By 2030, I would like to see STEM education fully inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all students, regardless of gender, background, or ability. I hope that diversity and equity are embedded in every classroom, research project, and innovation center, and that technology is used to support sustainable practices and learning opportunities for everyone.

My biggest challenge was transitioning from a Social Science background to the technical demands of HCI, which required mastering new methodologies and “”thinking”” in STEM. I initially struggled to reconcile qualitative human behavior with rigid technical constraints, but this challenge eventually became my greatest strength in user-centered design.

My advice to girls and women is to embrace your unique background and never feel limited by a non-technical start, as the most innovative solutions in STEM emerge at the intersection of social sciences and technology. Seek out mentors and role models who lead with integrity and selfless ethos, as their guidance will be your most valuable asset during challenging transitions.

My advice to girls and women is to recognize that our greatest power lies in unity and collective support rather than individual competition. To truly thrive in this sector, we must first do the internal work of identifying and shedding our own internalized gender biases, as recognizing these hidden patterns is the only way to effectively spot and challenge them in the workplace. By combining this self-awareness with a commitment to lifting each other up, we can transform the technical landscape into a more equitable space for everyone.

By 2030, I would like to see DEIS evolve from a set of formal policies into a natural, internalized culture where diversity is recognized as a fundamental driver of technical innovation rather than a secondary goal.

(not) Balancing workload and personal development

Dream and Persist.

Be ambitious and resilient.

Participate and contribute in a modernized and lucrative sector, serving the common good.