Women in Science: Prof Dr Ina Blümel

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The blog series “Women in Science” introduces women from the TIB who give insights into their careers and personal experiences in science.

Prof Dr Ina Blümel studied architecture in Braunschweig, Milan and Helsinki and obtained her doctorate at the HU Berlin at the Institute for Library and Information Science.

Today, she is head of the Joint Lab Future Libraries and Research Data as well as deputy head of the Open Science Lab  at TIB and professor at Faculty III – Media, Information and Design at Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

In the interview, she talks about how her work enables her to make things visible together with others, that paths in science do not have to be straightforward, and that open, networked and fair research ultimately benefits everyone.

What fascinates you about working in science?

I am fascinated by the fact that research allows me to set things in motion that would otherwise remain invisible: data, models, images, videos – all of these become discoverable and reusable thanks to good metadata, linked data and open infrastructures, among other things. I originally come from a background in architecture and became interested in digital tools and the transition from 2D to 3D at an early stage. Today, it is precisely this interface between technology, culture and knowledge that particularly appeals to me. It is important to me that research does not take place in an ivory tower, but rather that intuitively usable tools, workflows and open resources are developed together with and within communities – for example, around Wikimedia.

As a woman in science, what would you have liked to have known earlier?

I wish I had known earlier how normal sidetracks are – and that interdisciplinary biographies are not a deviation, but often an advantage. Also: you can and should seek out allies, build networks visibly and actively seek mentoring – this is not a luxury, but part of professional work. And I would have allowed myself to work more prototypically earlier on: to be brave enough to test things, even if they are not yet perfect.

What advice would you give to girls and young women who are considering a career in science?

Find topics that really interest you – then your curiosity will carry you through the tough times. Learn to make your work visible – also in open formats. Practise communicating clearly about resources early on: time, money, access, support. Dare to join communities: science improves when we think about it in a networked and open way and when different perspectives are actively incorporated into its design.

A wish for the future of women and girls in science …

I would like to see a scientific community in which belonging does not need to be explained: equal opportunities, equal security, equal visibility – regardless of gender. And I would like to see structures that reward cooperation, openness and sustainable development, rather than just producing short-term shining examples. If we organise research in a more open, networked and fair way, everyone will benefit in the end – especially those who are still too often held back today.