Recognising efforts in science and technology
Education and lifelong learning shape our societies. Acknowledging and celebrating entities and people who repeatedly strive to encourage people towards science and technology is only fitting. During the closing event of the World Capital for Women and Girls in Science 2023/2024, designated to Malta by the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT), three awards were bestowed by RASIT.
The first award was given to St Ignatius College. Efforts to promote science and technology to all, including women, are being made through various projects, activities and events at all levels by the college.
Iraqi princess, doctor and scientist Nisreen El-Hashemite awarded St Ignatius College with the School of Excellence Recognition Award. Some of the activities were an art exhibition with the theme of the environment and sustainable development, involvement in national events such as science cafés, the the College STEAM week, and visits from professionals working at the European Organisation for Nuclear
Research (CERN). The next award presented by the princess was awarded to The HSBC Malta Foundation, which supports women and girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiatives, such as the Girls4STEM summer camp and Thematic STEM debate, the robotics olympiad and the Save the Drop campaign.
HSBC Malta Foundation provided financial support and personnel to assist with the initiative’s activities. Their focus on education as a catalyst for societal change aligns with the initiative’s goal of empowering and inspiring the younger generation.
The last award of the day, Prince Mohammad bin King Faisal (I) ElHashemite’s Royal Medal, was bestowed upon Pauline Galea by Prince Adnan El-Hashemite. Galea has overseen the development of seismological observation, resulting in the Malta Seismic Network of today, as well as the setting up of the Seismic Monitoring and Research Group (SMRG) within the Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta (UM).
In her speech, Galea said that women in STEM are determined and have progressed, but so much more can still be achieved. While she was the only female in class while studying, and later among colleagues, she is grateful for her father’s encouragement and insistence never to set any limits.
It comes as no surprise that these individuals and entities were given these prestigious awards to recognise their efforts in making science more accessible to society, irrespective of gender, socio-economic class, race or religion.
Danielle Martine Farrugia’s is a science engagement practitioner, lecturer and PhD candidate. Lourdes Farrugia is senior lecturer at the University of Malta.
Science and technology are known to strive for objectivity – however, it is conducted by humans who undoubtedly have biases, perspectives and limitations. This includes artificial intelligence.
Whether intentional or not, one must recognise the influence of funding sources, personal beliefs and cultural contexts on scientific research and interpretation. In reality, science and technology are not isolated from societal influences. This was evident when algorithmic bias occurred due to programming errors introduced by developers who unfairly weighted factors in the algorithm based on conscious or unconscious bias.
In 2015, a large tech company had a disproportionately high number of male employees. It was later discovered that their hiring algorithms were biased towards men. Résumés of current employees suggested male candidates as better picks, creating hiring bias.
Artificial intelligence is biased as it is human-made. However, ethical artificial intelligence can elevate unheard voices, but only if we address our biases.