Érika Roldán Roa talks to the European Science-Media Hub about open science, diversity and gender equality in science.
Mathematician Érika Roldán Roa is a team leader at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, and is affiliated with the Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence at Universität Leipzig (Germany). One of Roldán’s goals is to increase the participation of under-represented communities in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), especially at the intersection of STEM and the arts.
At the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum, a forum for exchange between young scientists and laureates of the most prestigious world prizes in mathematics, Roldán presented one of their projects – the ‘Fence Challenge’: a game to enclose as much area as you can with ‘pentominoes’ (five-block dominoes).
This challenge not only emphasises the more playful side of mathematics, it is also a citizen science project that helps participants develop their mathematical visualisation, and helps researchers towards solving combinatorial problems (the field of mathematics concerned with problems of selection, arrangement and operation within a finite or discrete system).
The picture was taken at DESFOGA 2024: hands-on and collaborative exhibition where the public will place the pentagons on a citizen simulated cell growth process on different surfaces at an exhibition room at DESFOGA 2024, Cambados, Spain. DESFOGA is a curatorial program in Cambados that questions powers, inequalities, and all forms of human rights violations through performances, installations, and exhibitions.
The democratisation of science and mathematics was one of the key messages in your presentations at the Heidelberg Laureate Forum. What do you mean by democratisation, and why is it important?
Érika Roldán Roa: The democratisation of science, mathematics and computer science is essential for building a more just and inclusive society. The Heidelberg Laureate Forum brings together part of the elite in these areas. It was a privilege to take part in and, precisely because it is open to such a small segment of the population, a reminder of the responsibility that this access entails.
Knowledge, research and enjoyment of STEM fields cannot be reserved only for the few; they are fundamental rights. To popularise these fields and demonstrate their relevance and transformative potential, we must go beyond formal educational environments to bring them into creative spaces and integrate them meaningfully into everyday life. This requires a focus on inclusive learning that promotes access to knowledge through open science and encourages active participation from communities that have historically been made invisible, excluded and marginalised.
Why is open science important to society?
Érika Roldán Roa: A true practice of open and participatory science requires, above all, the abolition of economic and geographical barriers to ensure that anyone, anywhere, can access knowledge, whether it originates from public or private institutions. In the fields of research where I work, it is common practice to make articles freely accessible in public repositories and to provide access to the code and data generated.
However, there is still a long way to go. For instance, we need to rethink the existence and relevance of patents, ensure free access to software used and developed in research, and make all STEM journals open access.
Since arriving in Europe, I have initiated various projects in citizen mathematics and gamification, integrating research in mathematics and computer science with participatory experiences that invite society to actively engage in the pursuit of knowledge and the solving of open problems.
Moving STEM fields toward open and participatory research not only democratises access to knowledge but also empowers individuals, enabling them to contribute to the advancement of understanding. Furthermore, it strengthens the relationship between the academic community and society as a whole, fostering greater social awareness and informed decision-making based on genuine collective needs.
You devote your knowledge and efforts to promoting science to younger audiences. What are the main challenges?
Érika Roldán Roa: Access to STEM education should be a lifelong right, as the constant advancement of science and technology requires individuals to be well-informed and up-to-date to support and engage in a genuine democracy.
Although I have largely focused my efforts on young audiences – allowing us to address the prejudices that still surround mathematics and computer science from the point of view of new generations – it is equally essential to foster an inclusive scientific culture for all ages.
In a society like the European Union, where the average age is increasing dramatically, promoting such inclusivity is urgent and requires the implementation of revolutionary outreach and educational programmes. This imperative compels those of us engaged in STEM outreach, for example, to place equal impact value on developing and implementing workshops for both adult female migrants with limited formal education and well-prepared high school students alike.
How important are diversity and gender equality in science?
Érika Roldán Roa: After over 25 years in various forms of activism, I have witnessed the positive impact and transformative reach that inclusive outreach and educational initiatives can have on diverse communities. These initiatives break down barriers, making STEM fields accessible and appealing to historically excluded groups, such as women, the LGBTIQ+ community in general, racialised individuals, neurodivergent people, those with functional diversity, individuals without formal education, migrants, asylum seekers, and older adults.
Much of my ongoing education and awareness around diversity and inclusivity comes from my own life experiences, as well as from the transformative opportunity of being a member of and receiving support and guidance from non-profit social and community organisations in Germany and Switzerland.
Recently, I have expanded my collaborations and participation in art festivals and residencies rooted in strong social awareness, particularly around human rights and gender equality. Aligning the arts with STEM (also called STEAM) and social issues has allowed me to challenge stereotypes and foster an inclusive vision of who can participate in these fields of knowledge and what counts as a meaningful contribution.
What are the policies and actions that still need to be implemented in terms of gender equality in EU science?
Érika Roldán Roa: Creating spaces for reflection and dialogue is essential for developing comprehensive policies that support the participation of all genders – through mentorship programmes, inclusive practices and active efforts to address biases and systemic violence within academic and research institutions.
Although I have participated in and served on diversity and gender events, workshops, and committees at various institutions, I am not a researcher or professional in these areas. This is why I strongly believe that to ensure a truly inclusive academic environment, it is essential for everyone in STEM to receive basic, continuous training in effective gender equality policies and social movements that advance a more democratic society.