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%.

S: Organisation, Professionalism
W: Stress, Anxiety of Failure
O: Going abroad, doing a PhD and postdocs afterwards
T: not good financing

To try it out! To get informed about various possibilities, make internships, follow webinars, courses, talk to people!

To dare! Not be afraid of other voices and believe in you! Build your expertise and network and you will reach your goal!

Have more female leaders in high-stake positions

Strengths: High Engagement & Passion: Being part of a newly established department meant learning from young, passionate professors who were highly invested in the students’ success. Intimate Learning Environment: With a small cohort of only 50 students, the environment allowed for personalized attention, tight-knit collaboration, and a strong sense of community.

Weaknesses: Lack of Industry Connections: At the time, the university lacked established pipelines or networks with the private sector. This made it difficult for students to gauge their true market potential or easily transition into corporate roles.

Opportunities (External Advantages): Pioneering Expertise: Graduating as one of the few cohorts with specialized cybersecurity training in Greece created massive potential for research, innovation, and rapid professional advancement. Uncapped Career Growth: Entering a niche, high-demand field provided plenty of open lanes for early career evolution and leadership.

Threats: Rapid Technological Evolution: The field of computer engineering and cybersecurity moves at an incredibly fast pace. The constant shift in technologies and methodologies demands continuous learning and adaptation just to remain competitive.

While the advice to “believe in yourself” is often overused, the reality is that many women battle a constant inner narrative of self-doubt. This pressure can either be a catalyst for growth or a source of burnout; our power lies in choosing the former. Furthermore, we must refuse to let our emotional intelligence be dismissed as mere “sensitivity.” It is a strength, and its value is non-negotiable.

Own your creativity as a hard skill: Don’t suppress your creative side to fit a rigid tech mold. Lateral thinking, design, and storytelling aren’t “soft skills”—they are high-value assets that allow you to build elegant, innovative solutions.
Lead with empathy to drive innovation: The best technology solves real human problems. Lean into your emotional intelligence to understand user needs, bridge team gaps, and design software that is intuitive and truly inclusive.
Be the translator: Tech often hides behind intimidating jargon. Use your communication skills to demystify complex concepts for others. By making tech approachable, you become an invaluable leader and pave the way for the next generation.

I wish we won’t need regulations to enforce the disciplines of DEIS.

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.

I never had one single role model, but I’ve always been deeply inspired by women who make a difference. Growing up, I admired women who stood up for women’s rights, who refused to be limited by expectations, and who found the strength to thrive in male‑dominated fields.

But my role models aren’t only the famous ones. I’m equally inspired by everyday women — women who work hard, who support each other, who overcome challenges quietly, and who keep going even when things are difficult. Their resilience, courage, and determination have shaped how I see myself and the kind of person I want to be.

Just do it. There’s nothing to overthink, if you’re curious and motivated, go for it.

We need you! Your ideas, perspectives, and skills are essential for shaping the future of this sector.

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Transitioning from a Physics degree in Greece to a Master’s in Electrical and Computing Engineering in the US was a significant challenge. I had to quickly adapt to a new academic and cultural environment, while catching up on courses and technical areas I had not previously covered. At the same time, I was often in classes where the vast majority were men, many of whom already had industry experience, which made the learning curve even steeper.

Be confident in your abilities and do not let the environment define your potential. Stay curious, invest in building both strong fundamentals and practical experience, and do not hesitate to ask questions or seek support. And cultivate your soft skills, which are often what make the real difference. The ability to communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and present your ideas with confidence is key to succeeding in this field.

Stay curious, be confident, and focus on building both knowledge and practical experience. Develop expertise in an area that excites you. At the same time, strengthen your soft skills, as the ability to communicate, collaborate, and adapt is key. Finally, reflect on your personal priorities and create space for both your career and your life outside of work.

By 2030, DEIS should no longer need defending. Equal salaries should be a given, and subtle sexism a thing of the past. The real test is simple: does the system reflect fairness in how people are hired, promoted, and heard? If not, it needs to change.

One of my biggest challenges was navigating highly competitive international academic environments while continuously adapting to new fields and expectations. At the same time, these experiences became strengths: resilience, independence, discipline, and confidence in solving difficult problems.

Believe that you belong in technical spaces. Do not underestimate your abilities, and do not let temporary setbacks define you. Build strong fundamentals, stay curious, ask questions, and keep going consistently.

Develop confidence through competence. Learn deeply, stay persistent, and do not wait for permission to pursue ambitious goals. Your perspective is valuable, and the field needs more women leaders.

I would like to see equal representation in leadership, fair access to opportunities, transparent hiring and promotion systems, and AI technologies designed responsibly for all communities.

During my studies, one of my biggest challenges was managing the demanding workload and balancing different responsibilities at the same time. STEM studies often require strong commitment, continuous effort, and the ability to cope with pressure, so staying organised and consistent was very important.

Another challenge was building confidence in highly competitive and demanding academic environments. At times, this required perseverance and self-discipline, but it also helped me become more resilient and focused.

At the same time, these challenges became strengths, because they taught me how to work systematically, adapt to difficulties, and keep moving forward. They helped me develop both academically and personally, and they played an important role in shaping my professional path

My advice to girls and women who want to study in this sector is to believe in their abilities and not be discouraged by stereotypes or challenges. STEM needs diverse perspectives, creativity, and determination, and women have a very important role to play in shaping its future. It is important to stay curious, work hard, and not be afraid of difficult subjects, because confidence grows through effort and experience.

Most importantly, they should follow their interests with confidence and persistence. With dedication and passion, they can succeed, contribute meaningfully, and become role models for the next generation.

My advice to girls and women who want to work in this sector is to trust their abilities, stay curious, and not be discouraged by challenges or stereotypes. Most importantly, they should believe that they belong in this field. With persistence, hard work, and passion, they can build a successful career, make a meaningful contribution, and inspire others to follow the same path.

By 2030, I would like to see DEIS become a natural and fully integrated part of the culture in our sector, not just a target or a policy discussion. I would like to see more women in leadership, more equal opportunities for career development, and more inclusive environments where different perspectives are truly valued.

I would also like to see technology and innovation developed with sustainability and social impact at their core, so that progress is not only measured by technical achievement, but also by the benefit it brings to people and society. For me, the goal is a sector where diversity is seen as a strength, inclusion is actively practiced, and sustainability guides the way we design and implement solutions.

Over the past 20 years, the field of media and digital technologies has evolved rapidly, creating a constantly shifting landscape. Computer-mediated communication was -and still is- a game changer, and keeping pace with this change has required continuous learning and rapid adaptation to new tools and approaches. as concepts, technologies—even entire fields such as media law—were quickly becoming outdated.

This, At the same time, this dynamic environment pushed me to think across disciplines, combining technology, media and real-world applications, while also fostering creativity—since everything felt new and evolving. The allure of constant change has always been what sparked my curiosity about what comes next. Over time, this became one of my key strengths. During my studies, I often struggled with attention to detail, as I was naturally drawn to big ideas and the broader conceptual framework rather than finer execution points.

An open mind and flexibility towards change—these are essential ways of thinking and key attitudes in a rapidly evolving field. A genuine curiosity and love for learning are the most precious skill. Technology and science are constantly advancing, and the ability to continuously explore new knowledge will set you apart.
Develop the ability to think beyond the boundaries of your own discipline—to connect, synthesize and create at the intersection of fields, where technology meets other domains.This interdisciplinary mindset is critical for navigating the new era we are entering, where artificial intelligence is already reshaping the rules of the game.

Stay open-minded and adaptable—curiosity and continuous learning are your greatest assets in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Think beyond boundaries: the future belongs to those who connect disciplines and create at the intersection of technology and society, especially in the age of AI.
-Redefine success on your own terms: not as a choice between career and motherhood, but as a balance you consciously shape at the intersection of both: Embrace this dual path—it will challenge you, but it will also build resilience, a unique kind of leadership, grounded in real life—one that only women can truly define.

By 2030, DEIS in my sector should move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and truly recognise that equality does not mean sameness. It should take into account that women and men work differently, real-life factors—such as motherhood—that require thoughtful and supportive structures, not neutral treatment. True inclusion means designing conditions that respond to these differences, enabling everyone to thrive on equal terms.