Globally, women face challenges in entering and excelling in scientific careers across all levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Despite significant progress in recent decades, women and girls remain underrepresented in these fields, limiting their potential contributions to innovation and scientific advancement.  

Similarly, the percentage of women in senior positions within research management organizations continues to be disproportionately low. 

On February 11th, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day dedicated to recognizing the achievements of women in science and inspiring the next generation of female scientists. 2025 marks the 10th year of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science! 

At NORSAR, we are committed to fostering an inclusive scientific environment where women thrive and reach their full potential.  

By sharing the stories and experiences of our female scientists and employees, we hope to inspire girls and young women to pursue careers in STEM disciplines. In celebration of this year’s anniversary, we have interviewed three women at our foundation to highlight their work at NORSAR and share their career experiences within STEM.

From NASA to NORSAR  

Marouchka Froment is French and joined NORSAR in early February 2024 as a postdoctoral researcher in the AIR (Airborne Inversion of Rayleigh waves) project.   

- I first completed two years of general education in science and engineering, and then continued with Physics. I liked fundamental Physics, but what I enjoyed most was applying Physics to the exploration of our world and our solar system. This is why I finally chose to specialize in Geophysics for my master’s and PhD.

As a PhD student, Marouchka became part of a large international science team supporting the NASA InSight mission. InSight's goal was to learn more about the history and evolution of Mars using geophysics. The project concluded in 2022. 

- Being exposed to so many areas of science and engieering at the same time, was an amazing and mind-opening experience for me. It confirmed that I had made the right choice, Marouchka explains.  

- Today, I enjoy the connections between my different fields of study. For example, fluid and continuum mechanics have direct applications in seismology, or to understand the ever so slow motion of the Earth's interiors. Mathematics also play a crucial role in solving everyday challenges, such as locating  earthquakes or imaging the subsurface.   

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

- Science has a paradoxical trait, which is that answering one single question ends up raising many more. It is like an infinite rabbit hole that we humans explore with our never-ending curiosity. That is why we need more scientists today than ever before.  

- People become scientists for many different reasons. Many love the intellectual reward of solving problems and advancing society in small steps. Others find pleasure simply in learning new things every day, while some seek to make sense of the world we live in. Know what drives you, and let it guide you. 

More than 40 years at NORSAR: From operator in 1983 to Chief Analyst, Earthquakes, in 2025. 

NORSARs chief earthquake analyst, Berit O. Paulsen, began at NORSAR in 1983 as an operator.  

- I started working in the data basement, copying collected data onto large magnetic tapes because computers at the time had no storage capacity. If researchers needed to look at the data, they would ask me to set up the magnetic tapes and they would read the data from them.  

Another coincidence led her into analysis.  

- Bernt Kristian Hokland, who was an analyst at NORSAR at the time, needed help. I started small and had the talent, necessary math skills and patience to learn something that took time to understand.  

What was it like to work at NORSAR in the 1980s as a woman compared to today?  

- When I started at NORSAR, there was only one other woman here as far as I remember, she was a programmer. There were no women among the researchers, but there were several in the administration. Sometime later in the 1980s, the first female researcher was employed. In the early 1990s, another woman was hired, and eventually more. Anne, the CEO of NORSAR, has had a strong focus on hiring women over th past 10 years, and it's probably also been the case that more girls are now choosing to study in this direction, which is great. 

Berit in the computer room to NORSAR in 1984..

Today, Berit’s title is 'Chief Analyst Earthquakes'. Her main task is routine analysis and the publication of bulletins online, quality control of data, and writing monthly reports on our stations that are sent to the Comprehensive Test-Ban-Treaty Organization (CTBTO) in Vienna. Berit also responds to inquiries from people who call and e-mail NORSAR with questions on earthquakes, such as whether there has been one. 

How have you seen the inclusion of women in research develop during your time at NORSAR?  

- From being an entirely male-dominated environment for many years of my career, to becoming a working environment with many women, the development has been very positive and gratifying to follow!  

Berit in 2025 at her office analysing earthquakes.

- I think it's important in a workplace to have a good gender balance, and not least that there are more younger people who have each other's support and find something to do together in their free time too. My clear opinion is that more women in research is a big plus for NORSAR! 

Gender balance in focus 

Anne Strømmen Lycke is stepping down as CEO after eleven years as NORSAR’s top manager. Before joining NORSAR, Anne worked as a geologist in the energy sector.  

How have you observed the development of gender equality and the inclusion of women in STEM fields throughout your career?  

- When I started studying geology at NTH (now NTNU), only 9 percent of the students on campus were girls - most of them in architecture and chemistry. Today, the gender balance is much better,  even in fields that  used to be 'boy courses'. That is great for ensuring access to bright minds and fostering more ingenuity! 

What are the biggest challenges to achieving gender equality in the research sector, and how is NORSAR addressing them?   

- I think the answer depends on which part of the research you look at.  I believe this is slowly but surely leveling out as the role models become more visible. At NORSAR, we have had this on the agenda and actively recruited women for many years.  

Anne Strømmen Lycke. Photo: Frederik Neumann, Felix Feature

- I'm very happy about our female scientists and analysts’ contributions of ingenuity and knowledge, in addition to the contributions to a more diverse and better working environment. 

What advice would you give to girls and women considering a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics?  

Go for it! Pursue what you enjoy, and success will follow!