The eighth session of the university-wide general education course "The Job of a Scientist and Career Development: Learning from the Career Histories of Female Researchers" featured a lecture by Professor Mai Takashima of the Catalysis Science Institute, with the theme "Connections, Flow, and Occasionally Courage." Professor Takashima earned her doctorate with a research theme of "amorphous carbon film" in materials research, and after graduating with her doctorate, she unexpectedly became involved in research on the theme of "artificial photosynthesis" at a company. While studying as a beginner, she began collaborative research with a professor from Hokkaido University whom she met at an academic conference, and this encounter led to her taking a position at Hokkaido University. She also mentioned that when she studied abroad in the United States, she ended up researching in a different lab than planned due to circumstances at her host university, but she cherished that connection and learned a great deal. Student comments included, "It's up to you to make the most of the opportunities given to you in the flow of life," and "I realized that future choices are more important (than choosing a university)," suggesting that the lecture, titled "Connections, Flow, and Occasionally Courage," conveyed important points about career choices. Thank you, Professor Takashima!
The next session, on June 19th, will feature Professor Tomoko Komagawa of the Department of Labor Sociology, Graduate School of Education, speaking on the topic of "Career and Gender."
