Advancing Women in Engineering: What Early-Career Researchers Have to Say [Women in Engineering]

I was honored to be invited by Prof. Claire Migliaccio and Prof. Susan Hagness to speak at the 2023 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S) Special Session on “The Antennas and Propagation Society in 2033: A Decade of Opportunities for Progress in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” I discussed the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from an early-career researcher’s perspective. It was my first nontechnical presentation at a conference. I was uncertain whether my limited experience would be adequate to address this significant and historic topic, especially with many of my role models in the audience. I am very happy (and, frankly, was quite relieved) that my talk was warmly received. I sincerely thank the audience for their positive feedback! This experience led to a delightful invitation from Prof. Francesca Vipiana to contribute to the “Women in Engineering” column. I wholeheartedly appreciate these wonderful opportunities.