International Women’s Day sparked a conversation within the increasing field of Extended Reality (XR), as TRANSMIXR was part of a compelling webinar on 19th March 2025. The event centered around the often-underrepresented voices of women in STEM, providing a platform for seven remarkable individuals from various EU-funded projects to share their personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs within the immersive tech landscape.
Grace Dinan from TRANSMIXR, Leesa Joyce and Moonisa Ahsan from VOX Reality, Georgia Papaioannou from HECOF, Maria Madarieta from MASTER XR, Marievi Xezonaki from CORTEX2, and Megha Quamara from SERMAS came together, not just as representatives of their projects, but as women carving their own paths in a rapidly evolving sector. The discussion, guided by the insightful moderation of Regina Van Tongeren from Women in Immersive Tech, participants shared not only their journeys and the hurdles encountered but also concrete insights and actionable advice for the next generation of female innovators.
Regina Van Tongeren’s stated “representation matters. We need diverse voices in boardrooms and beyond,” immediately highlighted the core issue. The panelists then delved into their individual experiences, offering honest insights. Georgia Papaioannou’s assertion, “You don’t have to fit the mould, you have to break it. Challenge yourself,” spoke to the resilience required to succeed.
Moonisa Ahsan’s perspective, “opportunities in XR are endless. Focus on what you’re good at—it will be your superpower,” offered a message of empowerment, while Grace Dinan’s call for proactive inclusivity, “diversity and inclusion should be a priority from the very beginning of every project,” underscored the systemic changes needed.
The personal aspects of their journeys were evident in Marievi Xezonaki’s advice: “Trust yourself and the pace you’re progressing, don’t compare yourself to anyone else.” Maria Madarieta Elordi emphasised the crucial role of role models, sharing, “the references are very important… To let them know that is possible. We should raise awareness, we are mentors, look ‘I’m doing this, it’s possible’. This way we can break the barriers and inspire.”
Leesa Joyce highlighted the unique contributions women bring, stating, “we can bring another world of perspective. We can give a different perspective from the man that’s already there.” Megha Quamara shared a practical perspective on support systems, suggesting, “I think programmes and XR initiatives could have dedicated spaces to women entrepreneurs, offering training, technical guidance… Additionally, introducing small changes and flexibility to help on the family side would be great to support careers.”
The engaging Q&A session with over 70 participants underscored the collective desire for change and a more inclusive future for women in XR. These personal stories serve as powerful reminders of the challenges faced and the inspiring strength driving women to shape the future of immersive technology.
Rewatch the webinar below.