Celebrating women in Robotics

To mark The International Women’s day 2023, we spoke with the women of UXV Technologies about the highs and lows of the industry and the importance of female representation in the robotic field.

In recent years, women have made significant strides in the field of robotics. Although the industry has traditionally been dominated by men, there are now more women who are breaking into the industry and making significant contributions.

But even though women are making strides in the robotic field, they still face many challenges. One of the biggest ones is the lack of representation. Women are still deeply underrepresented in the field, and this lack of representation can make it difficult for women to break into the industry.

Historically women have always been massively underrepresented in the robotics field. According to a 2020 report by the World Economic Forum, women make up just 22% of the global AI workforce, and the number is even lower in the robotics field.  

Time and time again, lack of role models is cited as the primary reason women are less likely to enter – and stay – in the industry.

So, ahead of International Women’s Day 2023, we want to celebrate the women forging successful careers in robotics.

Salma Salameh

Head of legal and HR

Why did you choose to work in this industry?

I did not precisely choose this industry, the industry kind of chose me. When Johan and Steven started UXV Technologies, they needed help with all the legal stuff in the company and I assisted with that. Then more and more things came up and suddenly there was enough for a full-time position. So I became a part of this industry untraditionally but am happy that my path has brought me here.
And I also wish, more women would look this way, when they apply for jobs. We need women who can do all kinds of stuff, you do not necessarily have to be an engineer. I do not think many women think, that this industry is even an option, and I think it is a shame. There is plenty of room for women in this industry and we need them.

What do you like the most about this industry?

I like, the that there are many men in this industry. I think we avoid many minor conflicts when the office is primarily men. And when we are so few women, I think we have more of an influence. People listen to you in another way, because we have a completely different background and can offer something else.

What are the biggest challenges as a woman in this industry?

I have not met any definite challenges. But sometimes, I can be met with an attitude of: “You do not know anything about this, we know the business, we understand it so we know more than you.” It can create some kind of irritation. I do not feel it every day or often, but women are treated a little differently.
At exhibitions, I have experienced, that if a woman is standing at a booth for example, the men go to her and ask their questions, because women often have a different point of view, so you get something else, than if you just talk to the men. Men are often interested in, why you are there as a woman because it is a little unusual. So there is a difference in the treatment, but I would not necessarily say that it is negative. But there is a lot of respect when you work in this industry as a woman because it is so man-dominated.

What is it like to work in a field dominated by men?

I have reached a place now, where I do not think about it anymore. In the beginning, I thought a lot about it, but now it is just a natural part of my everyday life, and I like that I can make a difference in the industry and bring a new perspective. So I feel like I contribute with something more and something else.

What advice would you give women who want to pursue a career in a field dominated by men?  

Do not think too much about it being a man-dominated field but just be brave and try it. You will have a lot of influence because you bring something else to the table and people listen to you. You can make a difference and if more women dare to step into this industry, we can change and affect the industry.

Kateryna Rudenko

Marketing Coordinator

Why did you choose to work in this industry?

I have been working in marketing for 10 years and I know a lot about this field. I always search for new challenges and this industry with new technologies fits my demands perfectly.

What do you like the most about this industry?

The industry always keeps me up to date and brings something new in my daily routine. It is thrilling and challenging. It is also fascinating that I can contribute to the world and in some ways help Ukraine and help save people's lives. It drives me forward.  

What are the biggest challenges as a woman in this industry?

When I worked in Ukraine, I felt the pressure of being a woman. A working woman always have to be ten times smarter than the men and prove her skills regularly during any working activity. But here in Denmark and at UXV Technologies, I have not noticed any difference between genders. People see your skills and professionalism but not your gender.
However, I have noticed that there are not many women in this industry. I go to different military exhibitions and I do not really notice female engineers there. Perhaps women feel like there is no space for them in this field. So I hope in the near future the robotics industry will gain more female engineers, so they become just as common as the male ones.

What is it like to work in a field dominated by men?

It is all about respect, expertise, and new challenges so I do not think it is a problem to work in an industry dominated by men. I feel equality and I do not think skills have a gender.

What advice would you give women who want to pursue a career in a field dominated by men?  

Follow your dreams, do your job well and be a nice person.

Yasmin Simonsen

Content Creator

Why did you choose to work in this industry?

I needed a job alongside my studies and I was very open-minded. I had my job interview at UXV and thought: “Okay, I know nothing about this so here is a chance to learn a lot.”
When I first started I was skeptical but the industry started to grow on me and I can see that we do more than “just” produce ground control stations. A lot of things would be easier, had I chosen an industry that I know a lot about and understand. But in this job, I evolve and I am challenged because my knowledge is limited and I have to seek new knowledge all the time. I like that.

What do you like the most about this industry?

It has always been important for me to make a difference in my work, and we do that here. When I was a kid and people asked me what I wanted to do as a grown-up, I always said that I wanted to help people and change the world.
You can do that in many ways, and I think it is cool to see how our work helps people. Right now, we do a lot to help the people in Ukraine, we make the work for the military easier, we reduce the human risk, and help save lives. The things we do matter and I like that.

What are the biggest challenges as a woman in this industry?

I do not think I have experienced any particular challenges, I think the challenges are more in my mind. I limit myself and tell myself, that I am not good enough, that this field is too technical, and that I do not know enough to be here. I do not always feel so confident in this industry, and I think it is reinforced by the underrepresentation of women.
On many levels, I am also very different from my coworkers. We come from different backgrounds and many of the people here a nerdier than I am - in a good way. But that can make it hard for me to always understand what they are talking about and I do not always feel like I can participate in the conversations a lunch or social gatherings, because I do not see what I can offer to the conversation. I do not have so many things in common with my colleagues so it can set some limitations.

What is it like to work in a field dominated by men?

It is special. Men and women think differently on many levels, and I think men can be more black and white sometimes than women. And that can be a challenge when I work in marketing because the men in the company may not always understand my work and when I need information about something, I often feel like I am bothering them. So it can create some challenges because we think very differently.
But I also feel cool at times because I am a part of breaking the gender bias in this industry. It can make me feel powerful, that I am a part of this male, robotic, military world.

What advice would you give women who want to pursue a career in a field dominated by men?  

Do not let it scare or stop you that the field is dominated by men. It can be scary at first, but when you are in it, it is not as bad as you might think at the start. If you are in the right place, then everything will work out even if you are the only woman.
In general, I also think it is important to think less about the industry and more about what you want to do. I like to write and I like social media. I can do that at a marketing agency but I can also do it here at a robotics company. So be open-minded and believe in yourself and do not let your mind limit you.

Yuliia Shtadchenko

Hr Assistant

Why did you choose to work in this industry?

I have a technical background both in my education and in my previous jobs. I have undergone a lot of cabin crew training and worked with pilots, and I really liked the field so I wanted to stay in a similar field. When I moved from Ukraine to Denmark, it was also really important to me, to do something to help my country. I saw, that I could do that at UXV, so that sold me on this industry.

What do you like the most about this industry?

I like that we keep up with modern technology and evolve every day and that our work also has a deeper meaning because we help reduce human risk and save lives.

What are the biggest challenges as a woman in this industry?

I do not see any particular challenges as a woman in this industry in general. I think you see challenges for women in all kinds of industries and fields, but I do not think it is limited to this industry. Women want to be seen as equal, and professional and be able to voice their opinions and that can be a challenge in many spheres.

What is it like to work in a field dominated by men?

During my education, I was mostly surrounded by men, but in my work, I have been surrounded by a lot of women. I think men and women bring different things to the workplace, but for me right now like to be around men and I do not feel any pressure or inadequacy because I am a woman.

What advice would you give women who want to pursue a career in a field dominated by men?  

Never stop trying.

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