International conferences are a great way to meet people from all over the world to share the excitement of physics and discuss the latest developments in the subject. But the International Conference on Women in Physics (ICWIP) offers more by allowing us to to listen to the experiences of people from many diverse backgrounds and cultures. At the same time, it highlights the many challenges that women in physics still face.

The ICWIP series is organized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and the week-long event typically features a mixture of plenaries, workshops and talks. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conferences were held in various locations across the world, but the last two have been held entirely online. The last such meeting – the 8th ICWIP run from India in 2023 – saw around 300 colleagues from 57 countries attend. I was part of a seven-strong UK contingent – at various stages of our careers – who gave a presentation describing the current situation for women in physics in the UK.

Being held solely online didn’t stop delegates fostering a sense of community or discussing their predicaments and challenges. What became evident during the week was the extent and types of issues that women from across the globe still have to contend with. One is the persistence of implicit and explicit gender bias in their institutions or workplaces. This, along with negative stereotyping of women, produces discrepancies between male and female numbers in institutions, particularly at postgraduate level and beyond. Women often end up choosing not to pursue physics later into their careers and being reluctant to take up leadership roles.

Much more needs to be done to ensure women are encouraged in their careers. Indeed, women often face challenging work–life balances, with some expected to play a greater role in family commitments than men, and have little support at their workplaces. One postdoctoral researcher at the 2023 meeting, for example, attempted to discuss her research poster in the virtual conference room while looking after her young children at home – the literal balancing of work and life in action.

To improve their circumstances, delegates suggested enhancing legislation to combat gender bias and improve institutional culture through education to reduce negative stereotypes. More should also be done to improve networks and professional associations for women in physics. Another factor mentioned at the meeting, meanwhile, is the importance of early education and issues related to equity of teaching, whether delivered face-to-face or online.

But women can face disadvantages other than their gender, such as socioeconomic status and identity, resulting in a unique set of challenges for them. This is the principle of intersectionality and was widely discussed in the context of problems in career progression.

In the UK, change is starting to happen. The Limit Less campaign by the Institute of Physics (IOP), which publishes Physics World, encourages students post 16 years old to study physics. The annual Conference for Undergraduate Women and Non-binary Physicists provides individuals with support and encouragement in their personal and professional development. There are also other initiatives such as the STEM Returner programme and the Daphne Jackson Trust for those wishing to return to a physics career. WISE Ten Steps contributes to supporting workplace culture positively and the Athena SWAN and the IOP’s new Physics Inclusion Award aims to improve women’s prospects.

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As we now look forward to the next ICWIP there is still a lot more to do. We must ensure that women can continue in their physics careers while recognizing that intersectionality will play an increasingly significant role in shaping future equity, diversity and inclusion policies. It is likely that soon a new team will be sought from academia and industry, comprising of individuals at various career stages to represent the UK at the next ICWIP. Please do get involved if you are interested. Participation is not limited to women.

Women are doing physics in a variety of challenging circumstances. Gaining an international outlook of different cultural perspectives, as is possible at an international conference like the ICWIP, helps to put things in context and highlights the many common issues faced by women in physics. Taking the time to listen and learn from each other is critical, a process that can facilitate collaboration on issues that affect us all. Fundamentally, we all share a passion for physics, and endeavour to be catalysts for positive change for future generations.

• This article was based on discussions with Sally Jordan from the Open University; Holly Campbell, UK Atomic Energy Authority; Josie C, AWE; Wendy Sadler and Nils Rehm, Cardiff University; and Sarah Bakewell and Miriam Dembo, Institute of Physics