LCGC International spoke to Mimi den Uijl, Noor Abdulhussain, and Lotte Schreuders, the Sisters in Science—an initiative committed to breaking stereotypes and redefining how women in STEM are represented.
In its early days, Sisters in Science thrived on social media, especially
The journey of Sisters in Science—an initiative dedicated to challenging stereotypes and reshaping narratives around women in STEM—has been short but impactful. Since its founding in 2021, the group has rapidly grown into a national force for science education and advocacy in the Netherlands.
In recent years, a growing women-led movement has emerged to inspire more women and individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in science. This effort has taken many forms, with a strong focus on visibility, mentorship, and systemic empowerment.
As Sisters in Science grew, they became a small part of a much larger shift—one where science is increasingly shared, engaged with, and made more inclusive through the power of social connection. Social media has long been a presence in science communication; however, the COVID-19 pandemic boosted its use, making it a powerful platform for scientific exchange in recent years.
“We were always together back then,” recalled Mimi den Uijl, who is one third of the Sisters in Science initiative. “It couldn’t have started without that close bond.”
This trend is especially evident in analytical chemistry. For example, the LinkedIn group International Women in Chromatography has over 440 members and serves as a community to support and connect women and non-binary individuals working or studying in chromatography. Similarly, the Women Chemists Committee of the American Chemical Society (ACS) provides a forum for women in chemistry and related fields, aiming to enhance participation, foster professional development, and promote the recognition of women in the chemical sciences.
As the founders of Sisters in Science pursued different professional opportunities, the reach of Sisters in Science grew. Noor Abdulhussain completed her PhD and is now a scientist at VSL, the National Metrology Institute of the Netherlands. Lotte Schreuders transitioned into a PhD in educational sciences, and den Uijl finished her PhD and began teaching full-time.
The more the co-founders encountered the subtle and overt biases women face in science in their professional careers, the more determined they became to disrupt the traditional image of a scientist and open the door to a more inclusive future.
The group’s focus is now on in-person educational activities, particularly in the Netherlands. One of their most impactful collaborations is with Noordhoff, a major Dutch publisher of educational books. This collaboration encompasses both educational chemistry videos and posters that are hung in high school classrooms across the Netherlands, allowing them to reach approximately 60% of all high school students in the country.
The group also received the Dutch Research Council (NWO) Diversity Initiative Award in their founding year.
“That prize was a turning point,” Schreuders said. “It validated that we were doing something different and meaningful, and that people should take us seriously. And that we should take ourselves seriously.”
Next, the co-founders want to formalize Sisters in Science as a business. Today, they are being invited to deliver keynote lectures and workshops, a shift that has surprised even them.
“We didn’t feel like experts at first, but we are,” Schreuders said. “Being acknowledged like that means a lot.”
Central to the Sisters in Science philosophy is transparency. The group is open about the challenges that women may face in STEM, such as gender bias and pay inequality. As with any profession, challenges are inevitable, but by openly sharing what those challenges look like and how to navigate them, they aim to empower others to pursue their own paths with confidence. High on the group’s list of priorities is emphasizing the importance of role models and mentorship. They educate teachers at their talks to support girls’ pathways into science.
“We say that a role model could be a solution to provide guidance, especially for young girls,” Abdulhussain said. “We also try to discourage them from the biases around women in science, and not to believe in those stereotypes.”
A lack of female role models and mentors makes it harder for young women to envision themselves succeeding in these fields. Den Uijl highlights the importance of visibility and awareness.
“Recently, we gave a workshop on how to use social media as a communication tool, and a student said she finally felt seen,” Den Uijl said. “She didn’t think of herself as a scientist until she heard us talk about stereotypes.”
That moment encapsulates the group’s guiding mantra: “If you can see it, you can be it.”
“We don’t pretend it’s easy. There are real challenges. But we’ve made it work, and we want others to know that they can too. We’re not extraordinary; we’re just three women pursuing these careers,” Schreuders said.
