From SoMAS’ Ellen Pikitch Addresses UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Stony Brook University News, February 11, 2021.
On February 11 Ellen Pikitch, Endowed Professor of Ocean Conservation Science in the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) spoke at the United Nations’ sixth annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science assembly, “Beyond the Borders: Equality in Science for Society.” The event, held virtually, focused on the value of the social aspects and cultural dimensions in science, technology and innovation to enhance sustainable development programs.
Pikitch, who is also executive director of SoMAS’ Institute for Ocean Conservation Science, shared her expertise and work as co-principal investigator of the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Project on a panel of key stakeholders that addressed Clean Water and Sanitation, which is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The panel discussed achieving the three pillars of sustainable development — economic prosperity, social justice and environmental integrity — with a special focus on:
- Re-shaping water economics for inclusive green growth
- Investing in water science-based solutions for innovative economies
- Water culture
- The role of the media
Since women and girls have been historically excluded and discouraged from pursuing scientific fields, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was created as a way to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, as well as to further advance gender equality and empowerment of women and girls throughout the world.
