Women in Research – Part 2/2: “I Don’t Want to Have to Rely Only on the Women’s Quota”

Catherine Bernius currently coordinates the ATLAS experiment at CERN. The particle physicist talks about the phenomenon of mansplaining. She believes it is wrong to rely solely on the share of women in science.

There is still a long way to go before there are equal numbers of women and men working in science. “I think it will take a few more years, but a lot is being done,” says Catherine Bernius with conviction. The particle physicist coordinates the ATLAS collaboration at CERN.

On her team, the ratio is much less than 50:50 when you consider the gender ratio. “There is still a much higher percentage of male colleagues across the board, especially in management positions.”

Bernius believes this can be attributed, among other things, to hierarchical structures. Gender stereotypes are historically entrenched, and balancing work and family makes it difficult for women.

For the 41-year-old German, it has always been about hard work. But: “I can’t say I had to work harder than a man to get to where I am now. But it helps to know what you’re talking about and what you’re doing.

From a particle physicist's point of view, relying solely on the fact that there is a quota for women and that you will get a job or that you will be favored is not the right thing to do. “It would be very bad for me if I found out that I was only offered a job because I was a woman,” Bernius explained in an interview with Blue News.

Catherine Bernius always wanted to become a scientist.

Bernius advises girls or young women who dream of becoming scientists: “You must and should have courage, but above all, believe in yourself. And don’t forget to work hard to achieve your dreams.

For Bernius herself, it was clear from an early age where her path would lead. She was already interested in mathematics and physics at school. It came easier to her.

The defining moment for her came when a friend of her mother took her to CERN: “When I was about 14, he showed us the experiment he was working on. It was the Large Electron-Positron Collider, or LEP for short. I was immediately fascinated!”

Since then, one thing led to another – Bernius finished her studies, studied physics, wrote her doctoral thesis, and during this period worked at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), where she works to this day.

Collaboration between people from all over the world

Being part of the ATLAS experiment makes the particle physicist particularly proud. “I find my daily life incredibly fulfilling and rewarding, but also challenging,” says Bernius.

The collaboration is very diverse, which he particularly likes: “There is something wonderful about working with institutions, laboratories and people from all over the world. The fact that we can overcome cultural or language barriers, and at the end of the day get along and work towards a common goal – that is the best thing about the experience.

Given the large number of employees in the various collaborations, Bernius is certain: “There are definitely women who have felt disadvantaged in their daily work at CERN.” She doesn’t want to sweep it under the carpet, but she hasn’t had such experiences herself.

It deals with the phenomenon of masculinity. However, given the diversity of its cast, it is difficult to determine whether the man did not fully understand something due to linguistic differences and is trying to put it into his own words, or whether he is trying to lecture Bernius by repeating her words.

People react with surprise when Bernius mentions her job.

When Bernius tells people she works at CERN, the reaction is always the same: surprised! “But I’m never sure if they’re surprised that I work at CERN or surprised by the fact that I’m a woman and a physicist,” says the 41-year-old.

This has happened once or twice, and Bernius laughs with amusement when he recalls it: “If I say I work at CERN, it is automatically assumed that I work there as a secretary.”

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