Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, EU Commission, visited Fysikum
Roxana Mînzatu is leading the work on the Union of Skills. "My priority throughout this mandate will remain to encourage girls & women to pursue STEM careers." She was welcomed by Tony Hansson, Head of Fysikum. The visit to Stockholm University included a tour to the DESIREE laboratory in the AlbaNova building where she met the PhD's Rachel Poulose and Truly Rylander. The Dean Lena Mäler, presented statistics for gender and STEM at the of the Faculty of Science. Professor Sara Strandberg presented gender diversity at Fysikum. Professor Anna Sobek, Head of Department of Environmental Science, presented the TRACEE Master Program. The visit to Sweden lasted for two days.
Roxana Mînzatu’s task is to guide the overall work on strengthening Europe’s human capital, from skills and education to culture and sport.
"Education and research are Europe’s most powerful engines of progress – and they must go hand in hand", says Roxana Mînzatu.
PhD Rachel Poulose answering questions from Roxana Mînzatu
Who inspired you to take physics as your main study, your parents, teachers, or self-motivation?
"My inspiration came from my 12th-grade physics teacher. She was a great teacher and taught the subject very well, which made me interested in physics and motivated me to study it at a higher level. I then completed a master’s in Physics, and wanting to learn even more, I chose a second master’s in Technology, specializing in Optoelectronics and Laser Technology."
How did you end up here at Stockholm University?
"I first came to Sweden through the Erasmus+ exchange program to do my MTech master’s thesis at the University of Gothenburg, coming from my home university, CUSAT, in India. During that time, I also had the chance to visit the DESIREE lab in Stockholm. I found the work there very interesting and wanted to stay in Sweden, which I like because people are treated very well. Then, I found the opportunity to do a PhD here at DESIREE and was offered the position."
Why do only a few women take physics as a career?
"I think it really depends on personal passion and interest. From my experience, many of my friends chose physics, some are doing PhDs, others are working in research or industry. So women do take physics, but ultimately it depends on individual passion."
What is your main goal - are you happy with what you’re doing now, or aiming for a specific achievement?
"I’m very happy with what I’m doing now. Now my main focus is on my PhD research, learning as much as I can and contribute to the experiments at DESIREE. And aiming for the successfully complete my PhD and make some contributions to the field."
PhD Rachel Poulose answering questions from Roxana Mînzatu
What got you interested in physics?
"I studied at an art school and the creative aspect of physics drew me to the field. In my bachelor I helped start the Women in Physics club which became a safe space for minorities in physics to study and share their struggle and triumphs in the field. When I decided to apply for grad school, SU had a particular interest because of their work toward bringing gender equality into university studies."
What do you want to do with your degree?
"I am interested in pursuing science communication. I want to get more people interested in what we are doing in the science community, especially women."
How can we get more women interested in Physics?
"Creating safe spaces for women to meet fellow women in STEM, and providing good role models and mentorship at the graduate, post graduate and faculty levels."
The vast majority of STEM teaching and research are at the Faculty of Science
Dean Lena Mäler told the EU Commissioner that there are a total of 54% (38%) female assistant professors at the faculty. There are 67% (67%) female assistant professors 2024 (2018) in the Department of Biology. In the Department of Chemistry there are 63% (20%), in the Earth and Environmental Science 57% (33%) and in Mathematics and Physics 29% (30%).
"All Swedish institutions for higher education have been tasked by the government to work towards gender mainstreaming – i.e. integrating gender equality perspectives in all parts of the institution. The Faculty of Science uses search committees during the recruitment process to make sure that the best candidates applies. The effects are presently evaluated. Possible biases in hiring committees are investigated by an external observer. We are working towards more transparent assessment of pedagogical merits and the strategies are worked out in connection with external grant calls."
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at Fysikum
Professor Sara Strandberg, has a longterm engagement in the EDI work at the Department for instance as a chair for the Committee for equal rights and opportunitites.
"We have a yearly plan that's being updated continously and an equality representative who is the primary point of contact. The employees and students are informed regularly at sessions and seminars. There are networks and mentors for women.
NORNDiP - Nordic Network for Diversity in Physics
Sara Strandberg also gave information about NORNDip.
"The objectives for NORNDiP is to empower girls and women to lead in science. We're promoting diversity as a scientific strength and enhancing visibility and collaboration. We're also raising awareness of structural barriers.
Professor Anna Sobek, Head of the Department of Environmental Science, informed about the TRACEE Master program that students can take both at the Stockholm University and the other ten universities in the Civis university alliance.
"Collaborating this closely around a common master’s programme with other universities is different than in collaborative research projects. There are local rules, procedures, hierarchies, management structures that play a stronger role. The support from Civis is important. Collaboration and trust building with partner universities has evolved and is the key."
The next admission opens in November, with three new study tracks. The evaluation for European Approach will take place in September 2025, and the decision will be made in December.
"We're aiming to apply for funding in the European Degree exploratory action (launched December 2025) and apply for EMJM - Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (winter 2026)".
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DESIREE - experimental research in nuclear collision physics The Atomic Physics division is pursuing experimental research in atomic collision physics dealing with interactions of positively and negatively charged atomic ions, molecular ions such as fullerenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), biomolecules, and clusters in the laboratory. DESIREE stands for Double ElectroStatic Ion Ring ExpEriment, which as the name suggests consists of two storage rings with a common merging section for studies of ion-ion collisions down to the 10 meV energy range. |
More information
Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice President, EU Commission
Department of Physics, Fysikum, at Stockholm University
DESIREE - Research Infrasctructure at Fysikum
Department of Environmental Science, at Stockholm University
TRACEE – A Transdisciplinary Master’s Program for a Sustainable Future
Last updated: October 7, 2025
Source: Gunilla Häggström, Communications Officer, Fysikum