WIA-Europe Symposium 2025 – Narrowing the Knowledge Gap

March 17, 2025

Women In Aerospace Symposium - 4th Edition

The WIA-Europe Symposium returns for a 4th edition. This year, the Symposium will explore the topic of ‘Narrowing the Knowledge Gap’. Learn how to harness diverse expertise in Aerospace through a series of online lunchtime events:

Generational & Geographical Knowledge Transfer: Sharing expertise across regions and generations.
Aerospace Education: Overview of master’s and upskilling opportunities to build the next generation of aerospace leaders.
DEIA Advocacy & Technical Work: Navigating the balance between technical expertise and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts.
Executive Skills Workshop: Developing leadership skills for emerging and current leaders in aerospace.

This event series is aimed at aerospace professionals as well as individuals from various backgrounds and career paths who are interested in discovering how they can enter and grow their expertise in the aerospace sector.

Events will take place May 12th to May 16th, daily 13:00 -14:00 CET.

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Programme General Overview:

Event 1: Generational Knowledge Transfer: Linking Experience with Fresh Perspectives

We will explore the challenges and opportunities of generational knowledge transfer in the aerospace sector, incorporating cross-industry expertise and insights. We will also address the best practices and strategies companies can adopt to effectively mentor and share knowledge between generations, ensuring continued innovation and leadership in the industry. We invite those facing these challenges, as well as those who have experienced successful practices in generational knowledge transfer, to contribute to the discussion.

Time: Monday, 12 May, 13-14 CET
Panelists: Vera Pinto (EU Commission), Shireen Ali-Khan (Women In Transport), Grazyna Wykowska (ESA). Moderated by Heidi Thiemann (Space Skills Alliance)

Event 2: Overcoming Regional Barriers to Knowledge Transfer and Talent Growth

In an era where collaboration across borders is essential, aerospace companies and professionals must find effective ways to share expertise, foster innovation, and address the technological and skill gaps between regions. Key to this is attracting and retaining talent while navigating diverse regional landscapes. Inviting individuals and organisations that are facing these challenges or have successful practices to share.

Time: tbc
Panelists: tbc

Event 3: Navigating the Dual Path: Balancing STEM Expertise with DEIA Advocacy

Are you both a STEM professional and passionate about equity and inclusion at work? Do you sometimes feel like you have to justify that you are also good at your technical work on top of your DEIA advocacy? Do you want to speak up about diversity-related issues at work but experience fear of negative repercussions from colleagues and management? If you identify with the questions above, we invite you to be part of the interactive discussion. We aim at giving you a voice and discuss together how to better approach the dualism of being a STEM professional and a DEIA activist.

Time: tbc
Facilitators: Cecile Deprez and Yulia Akisheva

Event 4: Executive Skills: Assessment and Coaching for Career and Social Success (Workshop)

Executive skills—often referred to as “the hidden curriculum”—are critical cognitive abilities that underpin career success. These include skills like task initiation, sustained attention, working memory, planning, organization, and goal-directed persistence. While these skills are essential for women to thrive in their careers, they are rarely explicitly addressed in standard professional development frameworks.

Research shows that executive skills continue to develop well into early adulthood, and their growth can be influenced by factors such as experience, environment, and direct instruction. It is essential for professionals to recognize the role these skills play in career advancement and to adopt strategies that promote their development.

This interactive workshop offers women professionals a comprehensive understanding of executive skills and provides practical, evidence-based strategies to support their development. Participants will learn how to embed executive skills into daily routines, create a supportive environment, and design targeted interventions for women who struggle with executive function challenges.

Time: 14 May, 19:00 CET
Facilitator: Peg Dawson

Register below to secure your space!

Interested to learn more about the WIA-Europe Symposium? Read our news post from the 2024, 3rd Edition Symposium below.