Press release for Chief Scientist participation in Gender Equality Panel

The Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology, Mr .Skourides, participated in the Women in Mathematical Sciences in Cyprus (WMSC) event, “Bridging the Gender Gap through Data-driven Policies: Unleashing insights, Driving Change. The event was hosted at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, lead by the opening speech of Prof Leonidas Phylactou featuring an array of speakers and panelists also including H.E. ex Minister of Justice Mrs Anna Prokopiou, The Commissioner for Gender Equality, Mrs Josie Christodoulou, Professor Theodoros Zachariadis from the Cyprus Institute, and Professor Elena Andreou from the University of Cyprus.

The WMSC event is a first in series of events aimed at addressing the gender gap in science and academia through the application of data-driven policies, and explored extensively on how Data and AI can drive discovery and innovation, fostering a more inclusive, and equitable environment in mathematical sciences.  During the opening of the event, the participants enjoyed a keynote session by Ms Anna Koukides who addressed in detail the topic “The importance of motherhood on carrers” the significance of “Data-driven evidence”.  During her keynote Ms Koukides confirmed the absence of substantial gender participation at corporate board and policy making levels, and emphasized the need for the reducing the gender gap in STEM.

The panel discussion was vibrant featuring the importance of technology in addressing both the gender and gender pay gap.  During the discussion, the Chief scientist also wearing the hat of the chief technology officer of the republic, confirmed that technologies such as artificial intelligence, and machine learning play an instrumental role in analyzing complex datasets, identifying patterns, and generating insights that inform policies, however stressed the importance the machine learning and large learning models can only be as accurate as the data they are trained on, elaborating further on the importance of leaning on a data platform that breaks through silos of operational data in stand-alone systems.  The chief scientist advocated the importance of data and need for data to be safeguarded by chief data officers who should ensure amongst others data quality, accountability of roles using the data, transparency, and availability, also addressing that the importance of both context and accuracy of data.  The Commissioner Mrs Josie Christodoulou stressed on the importance of gender inclusion early in the policy decision making process elaborating on how the correlation of seemingly independent factors such as culture and energy consumption can provide instrumental insight to policy makers.  Mr Skourides also addressed the challenging question on the retention of women in the fields of research and technology by highlighting the significance of culture norms, the importance of career breaks, also referring to the need to have role models, acknowledging the opportunity for workplaces to adopt gender-sensitive policies.  During the discussion, Mr Skourides re-iterated that in the world of technology there exist several women that are leading some of the worlds most powerful corporations citing names such as: Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle, Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture, Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM.  In addition, the chief also shared examples of Women in the research and technology domains referring to Maria Terzi, CEO of Malloc, Liza Charalambous CTO Malloc, Artemis Kontou, COO of Malloc, Dr Marianna Prokopi, CEO of RSL, Theramir, Dr Louiza Sophocleous, CTO of Mighty Kitchen, Mrs Thekla Paschali, CTO of Paybl, Mrs Monica Ionnides Polemiti, CEO of Hybrid Consultech, and Boardmember.

The chief scientist seconded the Commissioner of gender equality on the need to address the stereotypes, and also focus on mainstreaming activities.  Mr Skourides elaborated on the importance of breaking down stereo types, and argued that he was positively surprised by the sheer number of women volunteers to act as Mentors in Quadcode AI hackathon, and acknowledged the influence, and contribution they have in the community helping accelerate the adoption of women in tech, and leadership roles.  Addressing the hot topic on what can be done to remove barriers to change, the Mr Skourides, who is also the Chairman of the research innovation foundation highlighted that the gender composition of staff at the Research innovation foundation is 60%+ women while at the management, supervisor level, women represent 66% of the population.  In addition, the chief also emphasized that the research innovation foundation is implementing guidelines of Horizon Europe placing substantial emphasis on gender equality and explained how programs Pre-seed, and Post-doc have requirements that encourage and ensure mutual participation between genders aiming at increasing the number of women researchers and women entrepreneurs to contribute to the reduction of the gender gap in Cyprus.  Mr Skourides also seized the opportunity to encourage the audience to nominate hi potential, distinguished female researchers for Cyprus Research Awards by following the process elaborating on the opportunity to help honor young distinguished scientist for the 17^th year in a row making.

Professor Elena Andreou of the University of Cyprus elaborated on the work the university of Cyprus is doing to record, analyze and evaluate the impact of R&D providing a detailed overview of how the methodology works highlighting the importance that the data and insight produced will have in supporting policy formation.  In addition, to further address barriers in enhancing the role of research and innovation in gender equality policy formulation, Mr Skourides recommended comprehensive data collection, and the development of models that have as main purpose to detect and mitigate bias in data, also stressing the importance of building a multi-disciplinary team to define, refine the questions that need to be answered and the type of data required to provide powerful gender related insight.