The Women of Immunology: Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives

The status of women in the scientific enterprise has been a topic of growing attention over the past decades. There has been a recognition of the importance of diversity in the scientific workforce and of the unique perspectives of women. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 epidemic has confronted us with evidence that women’s efforts have not yet gained full recognition and has imposed a worsening of the gender imbalance in the lives of women scientists. It is, therefore, timely to review and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of women in research, research mentoring, and research administration, and to understand the challenges that remain for women to succeed.

We propose to consider the status and impact of women in the discipline of immunology to highlight the important role of women in immunologic research. We will describe the accomplishments of women, how women have approached the challenges they face professionally, and the systemic changes needed to ensure their success. We will take a historical perspective on attitudes toward women in science. We will consider what remains to be done to permit women to be fully recognized as partners in discovery. Finally, we will ask whether there are viewpoints women bring to immunology that are unique and propose to build on the power of role models to drive the future of women in immunology.

In this Research Topic we welcome the submission of Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, and Opinion articles covering, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Extraordinary achievements of women immunologists;

• Past and present obstacles for women scientists;

• Historical perspective on attitudes toward women in science;

• How women have been pioneering in difficult circumstances;

• Unique viewpoints of women scientists;

• The importance of «diversity» in immunologic research and how women in immunology stand for it;

• How have successful women dealt with phases of life unique for women, and associated challenges (e.g., pregnancy, motherhood).