Sensationnelles 2010 is a public campaign comprising 5 video interviews of exceptional women, either scientists or champions of women in science and research, launched by the French TV channel TV5 Monde (equivalent of BBC World) in partnership with Global Contact headed by Claudine Schmuck. It aims at supplying young generations of women with powerful and motivating examples of women role models.

Global Contact has conducted extensive research on this topic for Orange, and published the results in a survey (Mutationnelles 09) which demonstrates that due to lack of information and convincing examples young women are disadvantaged when they make their choices in fields of study and area of specializations.

Hence, WIL through its President Thaima Samman as well as Luisa Prista, Head of Unit Scientific Culture and Gender Issues, Directorate-General Research, European Commission are in the spotlight as 2 of the 5 interviewed women. Thaima’s interview points out the key issues the WIL network addresses so as to give high-profile women the needed resources to reach top leadership positions. Luisa Prista shared the view of the Commission on ways to boost the worrying lower numbers of young people following science studies.

Cécile Dubrovin, Thales Microwave and Imaging Subsystems Bids and Programmes Director, Jehanne Savi, Head of IT Delivery for France Telecom Orange, Anne Bouverot, Executive Vice President, Mobile Consumer Services France Telecom Orange, and Marie-Pierre de Bethune, Vice-President Scientific Affairs Tibotec, have also contributed by offering their inspiring written testimonies (in French) as women who have followed a career in technical sectors, so as to encourage young women who aspire to become scientists to share their opinions and ideas and create their own supportive network.

More testimonials will help to strengthen the effectiveness of this action!

To support it, contact Claudine Schmuck for assistance in drafting your testimonial in French. Looking forward to hearing from you!