What is IVL’s role in the RE-WITCH project?
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL) is an independent research organisation that has been involved since 1966 in the development of solutions to environmental problems on behalf of the business sector and the community. IVL deals with environmental issues from a holistic perspective with the aim of contributing to sustainable growth. IVL is responsible for WP14-16 that covers Business modelling, standardization and exploitation and is leading tasks related to contractual factors and business model concept for the project’s demonstrators.
What do you like in this project? What do you find most important?
Nora: I like to be part of a project where novel technology is developed that allows us to use waste heat to a larger extent for heating and cooling. Taking care of waste heat is important on the path towards climate neutrality in the heating sector. At the same time it is important to understand what type of new collaborations and business models are needed as circular models are developed.
Sofia: Europe needs competitive and energy efficient industries. Today there are many industries with waste heat, untapped potential for renewable heat, along with a need for process cooling. Here RE-WITCH solutions can have a huge effect both on the environment as well as competitiveness. We also see that compliance issues related to policies, certifications and legislation will be a driving force towards higher efficiency.
Tell us a bit about your background.
Nora: Industrial engineering and management with Master Degree in Industrial Ecology.
Sofia: Bachelor in business administration and a degree in journalism. I have worked a lot with helping innovative, smart and sustainable companies, especially SMEs, take advantage of international markets, technology development and international collaboration.
What brought you into this field? How did you get interest in STEM?
Nora: In high school I have mostly been interested in politics and economics. When deciding for a program at university I realized that I want to work at the intersection between business and technology – especially technology that can help us tackling environmental and climate related challenges.
Sofia: I got the interest from working with internationalization and competitiveness of green, innovative companies along with working with EU’s RTD program.
What were some of the challenges you faced as a woman in STEM?
Nora: I have not faced challenges as a woman in this field. Probably, I would have wished for more female role models in STEM.
Sofia: Nowadays you meet a lot of women working in this field and thanks to this, situations that could happen 20 years ago have fortunately disappeared.
If you’ve ever faced uncertainty about whether you belonged in a STEM field, how did you tackle that?
Sofia: Education and experience will open many doors.
Any advice / message for young women in highschool? Why is our sector a great one?
Nora: STEM is important for developing solutions for several of the world´s largest challenges. It is a dynamic field, never getting boring. Even if you have not been interested in STEM in high school or experienced people/teacher mentioning it as “typical jobs for men”, don´t let that you stop from pursuing a STEM education. Maths and physics you can learn – even if it hasn’t been your best/favourite subjects in high school!
Sofia: Opportunities in the labour market are great if you have a STEM education. And there are a vast number of roles, from experts in a narrow field to project managers with a holistic approach.
What are your hopes for the future of women in STEM (in regards to opportunities, stereotypes, etc.)?
Nora: I hope that we will regard it as natural having women in STEM and that it not in the least regarded as something “deviating” or “unusual”. I like that there are programs (at least in Sweden) where girls in high school have the opportunity to meet women in STEM (both studying at University or already working) and get inspiration and mentorship. Also, I would like to see that we as society handle successful women in STEM in a way that puts focus on what they actually achieved in the field rather than focusing on that they are women.
Sofia: I hope to see a diverse workforce from many aspects including gender.
Did you have a mentor or inspiration person?
Nora: A network for women in the field of energy.
Sofia: Current and previous colleagues are very inspiring.
Thanks a lot Nora and Sofia!
See our infographics on women in science/heating and cooling and the energy sectors here.
