Eva Zarkadoula, vice chair of the TMS Chemistry and Physics of Materials committee, is a technologist interested in progress and results. Eva believes that all efforts to foster inclusive environments have to be intentional. This is after all the fair thing to do: equal representation, equal opportunity, equal access. To her view, progress in gender diversity in higher executive and leadership positions is encouraging and promising, leading to role models, in fields or roles where women have been traditionally underrepresented. Eva is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of her life.
Q.: The Raw Materials sector is a particularly demanding professional area that supports modern technological trends yet identified more by its conservative structure in terms of administration and operations. How/why did you choose this sector as a career path?
Eva Zarkadoula: Working as a researcher in materials science is the result of my interest in physics. Physics attracted me early as it allowed me to understand my observations of nature and the world around me. I have the privilege of having grown up in an environment where I was allowed and encouraged to believe that I can do anything I want. I am also privileged to have studied in Greece, where public higher education is free, so having the means to afford it was not a challenge that my family had to face.
After studying physics in the University of Athens, Greece, I pursued my PhD in Physics in London, on the topic of radiation damage in materials for nuclear environments, and this was my entry in materials science, but also in research for energy, which I realized is a field that will always require advancements. During my PhD studies, I enjoyed research, and I enjoyed presenting and discussing my work. Being a researcher served my curiosity, it allowed me to practice problem solving and kept me in a path of continuous learning. When I was considering my options, working at a research institute focusing on materials research seemed ideal.
I have the privilege of having grown up in an environment where I was allowed and encouraged to believe that I can do anything I want.
Q.: Tell us a few things about your experience as a professional. What challenge(s) have you encountered, hitherto, in your work environment?
Eva Zarkadoula: Being a researcher is very interesting, as the possibilities in research are endless. But it can also be challenging, as society’s needs are ever-changing, which means the research directions may change, and so do the funds for research, which are not unlimited to start with. Research is not for free, and while there are countless opportunities for collaborations, there is also competition for resources, and for impact.
Beyond this, I have experienced unfair access to opportunities, I have experienced inequity in pay, and delayed promotions, which unfortunately all come down to experiencing bias. Fortunately, I have also had and have mentors and managers that care and pay attention and make intentional efforts to be equitable and supportive. I tend to speak up for myself, but this is not enough, we need a network of support, equitable workplaces, and people that value fairness.
I have experienced unfair access to opportunities, I have experienced inequity in pay, and delayed promotions, which unfortunately all come down to experiencing bias. Fortunately, I have also had and have mentors and managers that care and pay attention and make intentional efforts to be equitable and supportive.
Q.: What is acknowledged and welcome in recent years, is an attempt of the RM industry to set up a direct and meaningful communication channel with modern societies that are more aware of the sector's pros and cons. In this context, albeit at a gradual pace, women are entrusted with executive level jobs or elected to positions. What are your thoughts about inclusion and diversity in that context?
Eva Zarkadoula: As technologists, we are interested in progress and results. There have been multiple studies showing that diversity leads to better results and to better collaborations. The progress in gender diversity in higher positions is encouraging and promising. With more diversity in executive and leadership roles we also gain role models, and we gain advocates of all genders. And this can help with improving the diversity of the whole pipeline, from early education stages to senior roles, in fields or roles where women have been traditionally underrepresented.
At the same time, we need to consider that while it definitely helps, diversity does not ensure inclusion. We need to be intentional in our efforts to foster inclusive environments. This is after all the fair thing to do: equal representation, equal opportunity, equal access. Diversity and inclusion at the workplace are interconnected with society’s biases, with sexism and generally with discrimination as social issues and as obstacles in experiencing a fair and a safe society. This is why, as I like saying, diversity is everybody’s business. It is important to celebrate progress, and to protect and sustain our efforts in increasing diversity and fostering inclusive environments – unfortunately, we cannot take diversity, inclusion and the freedom to promote them for granted.
Q.: What are the «critical raw materials» for a woman in the RM sector to maintain the difficult but essential work-life balance?
Eva Zarkadoula: I find that the most important thing is to remember not to compare ourselves with others. There is more than one way to achieve a goal, and we all have different experiences, backgrounds and challenges which shape our paths. It is also important to accept that productivity fluctuates; it is not a flat line, it has ups and downs. And this is OK. Finally, we must pay attention to our needs. When we do this, everything will start falling into place.
I strongly believe that the most important thing is to remember not to compare ourselves with others.
SHORT BIO
Eva Zarkadoula was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She studied Physics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She pursued her PhD in Physics at Queen Mary University of London, UK. Eva obtained her postdoctoral experience in materials science in the USA, she then became research staff at the same institute, expanding her field of expertise in computational materials science to include material modification and functionalization, the materials' behaviour in extreme conditions, matter-radiation interactions, nuclear energy materials, and behaviour of disordered systems.
Eva is currently a member of the Early Career Editorial Board of the Nuclear Materials and Energy journal, published by Elsevier. She is advisor for JOM, the journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), by Springer, and serves as the vice chair of the TMS Chemistry and Physics of Materials committee. Eva is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of her life.
Απαγορεύεται ρητώς η αναπαραγωγή ή αναδημοσίευση, μερική ή ολική, του εν λόγω περιεχομένου. Το RAWMATHUB.GR διατηρεί το αποκλειστικό δικαίωμα δημοσίευσης και παροχής αδειών αναδημοσίευσης κατόπιν έγγραφης άδειας, επιφυλασσόμενο για την άσκηση κάθε νόμιμου δικαιώματος του. Εφόσον επιθυμείτε να χρησιμοποιήσετε το περιεχόμενο, παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας στο
