The days of hollow “women's power” phrases are over. This has long since become a social demand for equal opportunities for women, which is clearly formulated, emphatically demanded and often put into practice - albeit with varying degrees of commitment. Jessica Kelly, who has been a researcher at the institute since 2022, explains what it looks like in science and at Fraunhofer IKS.
September 25, 2024
© iStock/Dedraw Studio
Nikita Weippert:
Jessica, where did you grow up?
Jessica Kelly:
I grew up in Peterborough, Ontario in Canada.
Nikita Weippert:
Where and what did you study and why exactly did you choose this field of study?
Jessica Kelly:
I studied a dual degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics from Queen’s University in Canada. I chose this field of study because I loved math and science in high school. I later chose to study a master’s in Computer Science from the University of Trento in Italy and KTH in Stockholm.
Nikita Weippert:
Was it clear to you from the start that you would like to work in research?
Jessica Kelly:
It was not immediately clear to me that I wanted to pursue a career in research, but so far, I'm happy with my choice. I have always been open to different possibilities and never ruled anything out as an option. I consider myself lucky to have found a path that aligns with my interests and allows me to contribute meaningfully.
Nikita Weippert:
Did you already work for another institution or company before you came to Fraunhofer?
Jessica Kelly:
I worked at a bank in Canada for a few months, which was also a nice experience, before coming to Fraunhofer IKS.
© Fraunhofer IKS
Jessica Kelly: "I consider myself lucky to have found a path that aligns with my interests and allows me to contribute meaningfully."
Nikita Weippert:
What area of research do you work in and what topics do you deal with on a daily basis?
Jessica Kelly:
I am a researcher in the mobility department. So far, at Fraunhofer IKS, I have worked across different industry/research projects, supporting customers in navigating standards and regulations like the AI Act for safety critical AI components. My day-to-day changes depending on the projects on which I am working.
Nikita Weippert:
How do you perceive the issue of equal opportunities for you personally since you started your studies and now in research?
Jessica Kelly:
I feel fortunate that I have never encountered significant barriers that I am aware of to opportunities throughout my studies and early career. I am fully aware that this isn’t the case for everyone, which is why it’s important to keep working towards ensuring that all individuals have the same access to opportunities, regardless of their background.
I think it is important to make sure that recruitment processes are fair and transparent, regardless of an individual’s background.
Research Engineer at Fraunhofer IKS
Nikita Weippert:
How did you perceive the proportion of women and during your studies and then in the working world or when working at other companies and institutes?
Jessica Kelly:
During my bachelor’s degree, there was a relatively high proportion of women in my program. There were fewer in my master’s studies, and I have noticed (so far) an even smaller proportion of women in the industry, particularly among the customers we work with. At Fraunhofer IKS I would say we have a strong representation of women within our team.
Nikita Weippert:
How high is the proportion of women in your team at Fraunhofer IKS?
Jessica Kelly:
In our department of around 22 people, we have 6 women researchers, including a woman as the department head. I would say it is a positive proportion, especially in our field.
Nikita Weippert:
What would you do to create equal opportunities in general?
Jessica Kelly:
I think it is important to make sure that recruitment processes are fair and transparent, regardless of an individual’s background. Talent and potential should be the primary criteria for hiring decisions, not factors like nationality or gender.
