Celebrating Women Shaping the Quantum Revolution

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, EuRyQa celebrates the brilliant women physicists, engineers, and researchers who are building the future of quantum computing.

Across our consortium of 11 partners from 7 countries, women scientists are driving innovation at every level of our work to develop European infrastructure for Rydberg quantum computing. From designing quantum processors to developing algorithms for systems with 200+ qubits, their contributions are essential to advancing scalable quantum computing in Europe.

Women in the EuRyQa consortium are leading research groups, conducting cutting-edge experiments with ultracold trapped atoms, developing theoretical frameworks for quantum systems, and engineering the next generation of quantum hardware. They serve as principal investigators, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and industry partners, each bringing unique expertise and perspectives to this complex field.

Their work spans the full spectrum of quantum computing development: trapping and manipulating atoms at temperatures near absolute zero, stabilizing highly excited Rydberg states, optimizing qubit interactions, developing quantum algorithms, and building the infrastructure needed to scale from hundreds to thousands of qubits.

Yet challenges remain. Women continue to be underrepresented in quantum physics, computer science, and engineering at every career stage. Addressing this requires ongoing commitment to mentorship, inclusive research environments, and visible role models who demonstrate that quantum science is for everyone.

To the women in our consortium and across Europe's quantum research community: your presence, your expertise, and your leadership are transforming this field. You are opening doors for the next generation of scientists and engineers who will continue pushing the boundaries of what's computationally possible.

To young women and girls considering careers in STEM: quantum computing is one of the most exciting frontiers in science and technology. Your curiosity, your questions, and your perspectives are needed to shape the quantum future.