WiseFood Celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Every year on February 11th, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science offers a moment to reflect on how far the scientific community has come – and how far it still needs to go. This year’s theme, “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls,” feels particularly relevant for a project like WiseFood, where the intersection of technology, nutrition science, and human behaviour is exactly where the work happens.
A Gap That Persists
Despite decades of progress, women remain underrepresented across STEM fields at every level – from undergraduate classrooms to research leadership. The United Nations has long recognised gender equality as foundational not just to scientific advancement, but to the broader goals of sustainable development. Closing the gender gap in science is not simply a matter of fairness; it is a prerequisite for building solutions that actually work for everyone.
This year’s theme makes the case for a four-pillar approach: harnessing artificial intelligence, grounding innovation in social science, building technical capacity through STEM, and unlocking financial mechanisms that support women-led research and entrepreneurship. Each pillar reinforces the others. AI without gender-responsive design risks deepening existing inequalities. STEM education without equitable access leaves talent on the table. And finance without a social inclusion lens fails to scale the innovations that matter most.
Where WiseFood Fits In
At WiseFood, women are at the heart of turning knowledge into action. The project brings together expertise spanning information technology, nutrition science, and behavioural research – disciplines that, taken together, reflect exactly the kind of interdisciplinary, human-centred approach that this year’s theme calls for.
The three applications WiseFood is developing – FoodScholar, RecipeWrangler, and FoodChat – are designed to make healthier and more sustainable food choices accessible to everyday citizens. Behind that goal is a team where scientific curiosity and technical skill go hand in hand, and where the contributions of women researchers, developers, and communicators shape every stage of the work.
FoodScholar helps users navigate trustworthy food data through a natural-language interface. RecipeWrangler analyses recipes for their nutritional value and environmental footprint, offering smarter alternatives. FoodChat provides personalised meal planning that reduces food waste and boost eating habits while keeping sustainability front of mind. None of these tools would be possible without the diverse expertise – much of it held by women – that the WiseFood consortium brings together.
Beyond a Single Day
International days like this one serve an important purpose: they draw attention, spark conversations, and remind institutions to examine their own practices. But the work of building a more inclusive scientific community does not pause on February 11th.
For WiseFood, the commitment is ongoing. Not just to developing tools that serve diverse users, but to fostering an environment where the women and girls who contribute to this project – and to science more broadly – are recognised, supported, and given the space to lead.
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate that contribution – and recommit to making sure it is never taken for granted.