Upcoming Events/opporunities
As we celebrate Heritage Month, WiPiSA is hosting a series of conversations that reflect on the experiences, journeys and contributions of women in physics and the broader STEM community. Through personal stories, diverse perspectives and meaningful discussions, the series aims to celebrate our shared heritage while highlighting the challenges, achievements and possibilities that shape the journeys of women in science.
Coming Soon
Webinar 1: Difficult Lessons I’ve Learnt as a Woman of Colour in (Astro)Physics
Speaker: Munira Hoosain
Date: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Time: 13:00–14:00 SAST
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/r2lvWUoRRWKotPSZTFPcBQ
Physics and astronomy have historically excluded women of colour to varying extents. While there have been concerted efforts to improve diversity and remove barriers to entry, women of colour entering these fields continue to navigate challenges that are often not openly discussed.
In this candid and reflective talk, our speaker will share her journey from undergraduate physics lectures through to the completion of her PhD in Astronomy, reflecting on some of the difficult lessons she has learnt while navigating fields and systems that were not necessarily built with people like her in mind.
The talk will explore some of the pitfalls that women of colour may encounter in physics and astronomy, as well as insights into how to navigate these challenges when they arise. The hope is that these experiences will help others recognise these challenges, avoid some of the pitfalls, and feel better equipped to navigate their own journeys.
Webinar 2: TBC
Speaker: TBC
Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Time: 13:00–14:00 SAST
Register here:
Past Events
In celebration of Women’s Month, Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA) invites you to join our special three-part webinar series highlighting leadership, community, and the journeys of women in science.
These webinars will explore not only the achievements of women in physics, but also the networks, mentorship, and leadership that help shape meaningful scientific careers. (Please note the time difference for the webinar on 20 August)
Webinar 1: Beyond a Seat at the Table: Building the Future of Science
Speaker: Dr Katekani Shingange
Date: Thursday, 13 August 2026
Time: 13:00–14:00 SAST
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/
Women are making transformative contributions across every field of science. In this inspiring talk, Dr Shingange will reflect on leadership, purpose, and the power of building environments where innovation, mentorship, and collective success can flourish. She will share practical principles for navigating scientific careers with confidence, authenticity, and impact.
Webinar 2: From Bloemfontein to Boston: A Journey Through Materials Science, Sensors, and Scientific Leadership
Speaker: Dr Dina Oosthuizen
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Time: 15:00–16:00 SAST
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/
In this inspiring Women’s Month conversation with Dr Oosthuizen (Northeastern University, Boston) will reflect on her journey from Bloemfontein to leading cutting-edge research in materials science, sensors, and interdisciplinary scientific teams. Dr Oosthuizen will share the realities of a scientific career – the uncertainty, the opportunities, the mentors who opened doors, and the experiences that shaped her as a researcher and leader.
Webinar 3: High-energy heavy-ion collisions in the oxygen era
Speaker: Dr Isobel Kolbé
Date: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Time: 13:00–14:00 SAST
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/
This talk will explore the extreme conditions of the Universe just after the Big Bang and how particle colliders in Switzerland and the USA recreate them today. It will highlight what these experiments reveal about the fundamental building blocks of nature, the exciting new era of discoveries in heavy-ion physics, and the growing impact of South African research in this field.