Supporting women in STEM fields

For Xie Ziqing, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice-president of Hunan Normal University, the journey from a rural village in Xinshao county, Hunan province, to the forefront of computational mathematics has been driven by a refusal to accept social stereotypes.

As a leading figure in a field traditionally dominated by men, Xie said she has witnessed the increasing visibility and success of female talent in China's basic sciences.

Xie's interest in academia began in the 1980s, a time she described as the "Spring of Science". Inspired by the legendary mathematician Chen Jingrun, she defied the prevailing social bias that claimed girls would inevitably fall behind boys in high school science.

"My high school teachers, while well-intentioned, worried that girls couldn't handle the pressure of major exams," Xie said.

However, with the highest score in her class in the national college entrance examination in 1983, Xie secured a place at Xiangtan University in Hunan to study mathematics.

"Back then, the proportion of women in universities was low," Xie said. "Out of more than 100 math students in my grade, around 20 were women."

The rigor of her academic career intensified at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, where she pursued a doctorate under renowned academician Ding Xiaqi.

In 1994, midway through her doctoral studies, Xie became pregnant.

"In the high-pressure world of theoretical research, many suggested it was the wrong time to start a family," Xie said.

However, with Ding's support, she took a yearlong break and returned to her studies with unprecedented intensity.

"I worked 14 to 16 hours a day to finish my degree and return to my child, who was being cared for by my parents-in-law in Hunan, as soon as possible. That was the toughest period in my life," she said, adding that she later made up the time lost during pregnancy and graduated as scheduled.

In 2012, Xie's research in computational mathematics earned her the first prize of the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Award, a rare achievement for a female scientist in the region.

Since then, her role has expanded from pure research to academic administration and advising on national policy.

"Management requires communication, consultation and unity, which are qualities that often align with a woman's natural affinity for empathy," she said.

Drawing on her experience as a front-line math teacher and a university administrator, Xie said the career path for women in science is becoming increasingly accessible.

Having mentored more than 60 graduate and doctoral students, she said young women are increasingly entering the most challenging branches of mathematics.

Like Chinese mathematician and 2025 Salem Prize winner Wang Hong, a 35-year-old born in a village in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, many young female scientists are making their mark on the global stage as a result of their passion for basic research and sustained efforts.

"Women have a natural aptitude for basic research because of their patience and persistence," Xie said.

The invaluable qualities for young women in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — are self-confidence, lifelong learning and long-term thinking, she said.

These traits help them stay the course despite the biological and social pressures that often arise when they shoulder greater family responsibilities.

As a national political adviser, Xie has used her platform to advocate for women's development and has previously submitted proposals on women's career advancement, the demographic policy and creating a more fertility-friendly environment.

During this year's session, the university official is focusing on issues including the cognitive impact of artificial intelligence on youth and the curricular development of science education.

About 75 percent of the principals and backbone teachers at model middle schools in Hunan graduated from Hunan Normal University, according to Xie.

"We believe that the most outstanding educators guide the most promising students," she said.

Contact the writers at zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn