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International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026

Join Teagasc in celebrating the 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science this February 11th. This is a global event celebrating women in science and shaping a future where science and gender equality advance together.

According to UNESCO, women continue to represent less than one third of the world’s researchers. Closing the gender gap matters not only for fairness, but also for the quality, relevance and impact of science, technology and innovation.

The 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science showcases existing good practices and solutions for building more inclusive Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ecosystems.

In support of this initiative, Teagasc is running a social media campaign featuring women working in science across various roles to show the diversity of careers available to women in science at Teagasc.

Meet some of the women working in science at Teagasc

Linda Omodara

Linda Omodara at Moorepark Open Day.

Linda Omodara is a Research Officer working on AgNav, a free digital sustainability platform used by farmers across Ireland.

“AgNav helps farmers understand their farm’s greenhouse gas emissions using real, verified data, and shows practical ways to improve productivity while protecting the environment. My role is developing what’s called a life-cycle assessment model. This science turns farm data into meaningful climate insights”.

Erin O’Rourke

Erin O'Rourke giving a speech at a Walsh Scholars event.

As the Walsh Scholars Development Officer at Teagasc, Erin O’Rourke’s work strengthens PhD student training, development, and wellbeing on Teagasc’s Walsh Scholars Programme. Erin started her career as a researcher, with a PhD in Agri-Ecosystem Services, and has since worked in roles in science communication, public engagement, and now doctoral education.

“For me, science isn’t just about discovery, it’s about how we support people, communicate knowledge, and create inclusive environments, especially for women and girls”

Hui Xing

Hui Xing in the the National Botanic Gardens.

Lecturer Hui Xing works at Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens. Her work combines teaching botany and ecology to develop environmentally-minded horticulturists.

“I teach Level 5, 6, and 7 horticulture students subjects including plant science, biodiversity, ecology and the environment, plant protection, and arboriculture. My role focuses on explaining the scientific principles that underpin horticultural practices and sustainable land management strategies.”

Liz Duffy

Liz Duffy speaking to farmers at a farm walk.

Liz’s role as a Climate Action & Sustainability Advisor, for Teagasc’s Signpost Advisory Programme for the Cork East region, enables her to work directly with farmers, helping them to achieve their climate targets.

“My role is to guide farmers and industry towards achieving climate targets through technical advice, sustainable practice implementation, and strategic collaboration to ensure environmental resilience and long-term efficiency and profitability”.

Show your support

Teagasc is running a social media campaign featuring more women working in science throughout the day. You can learn about their work on our social media platforms at the links below:

You can get involved in supporting this campaign by:

  • Liking, sharing and commenting on our posts
  • Posting your own photos of you at work on social media platforms using the following:

#ForAllWomenandGirls #GenderEquality @UN_Women #Teagasc @Teagasc

UNESCO is organising an online event open to the public, with the theme ‘From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap’, register for the event here.

Read the UNESCO report ‘Status and trends of women in science: new insights and sectoral perspectives’ here