The IN-CODE Female Scientists Retreat
The IN-CODE Female Scientists Retreat, held in September 2025 at the serene Kloster Frauenberg in Fulda, provided a unique and inspiring opportunity for women in neuroscience to come together for reflection, empowerment, and connection.
This retreat can best be described as a cohesive and network-building experience that addressed the challenges faced by female scientists while fostering meaningful dialogue on gender equality in academia. Carefully structured to balance thought-provoking discussions, skill-building workshops, and opportunities for informal networking, the retreat created an engaging and supportive environment for all participants.
Talks by successful junior scientists, such as Silvia Viana da Silva and Silvana Valtcheva, set the tone early on by offering personal narratives. In addition, senior scientist Marlene Bartos shared her career journey, openly discussing her experiences and personal development. These sessions were not merely lectures but interactive spaces for open exchange, where participants reflected on their own journeys and gained a sense of shared understanding. A significant aspect of the retreat was experience sharing and collective engagement. Activities like the “Walk and Talk” session encouraged participants to gather in small groups to identify and discuss key challenges faced by women in science.
The outcomes of these group discussions were then presented in a plenary session, where ideas were shared and refined collectively. Furthermore, the event allowed for informal moments of connection, whether over meals, during breaks, or in the evenings. These interactions, while less structured, were equally impactful in building a sense of community and mutual support among participants. Skill-building was another cornerstone of the retreat, with workshops tailored to the specific needs of female scientists.
In order to equip participants with practical tools to enhance their confidence and effectiveness in professional settings three sessions were planned and conducted:
- Voice and self-presentation, led by Annegret Müller
- Time management, conducted by SeongHee Cho
- Leadership and career advice, led by Silvia Viana da Silva
A lecture by Anelis Kaiser-Trujillo explored the role of sex and gender in neuroscience in depth. Overall, the IN-CODE Female Scientists Retreat exemplified how dedicated spaces for women in science can empower individuals, foster meaningful connections by drawing on both personal and professional insights, and drive progress toward greater equity in neuroscience and beyond.
