The annual "Rose in Science Event" (RISE) was held at the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP) on March 8 to mark the International Women’s Day. The theme this year is “Blooming Rose in Science”. The event consisted of webcasts, academic presentations and panel discussions, and attracted a total of 56,000 online participants.

RISE was initiated by CIOMP, and jointly organized by iCANX Science Platform, Optica (formerly OSA), IEEE Photonics Society, Light Publishing Group and Peking University World Classroom.

In his opening speech, Prof. Xuejun Zhang, Vice President of CIOMP, welcomed all the guests and audience. Noting that 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of CIOMP, he pointed out that none of CIOMP’s many scientific achievements would be possible without women researchers. He called on female and male scientists to work together to create scientific miracles. He also extended invitations to all those at the event to visit CIOMP after the epidemic for cooperation and friendship. 

RISE2022 was divided into two sessions. The first session was hosted by Professor Lan Fu from the Australian National University (ANU), and the second session was hosted by Hui Wang, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office of CIOMP.

Launched by CIOMP in 2015 to mark the United Nations "International Year of Light", RISE is an important academic exchange for female researchers around the world. 2022 sees the fifth session of RISE. Twelve outstanding women doing scientific research related work on six continents were invited as speakers. 

Living and working in Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania, these women come from different age and fields. The speakers are: 

· Sandra Martinez (Professor) - University of Buenos Aires  

· Mengjie Yu (Assistant Professor) - University of Southern California 

· Isinsu Baylam (Lecturer) - California Polytechnic State University

· Xiuling Li (Professor) - University of Texas at Austin 

· Judith Dawes (Professor) - Macquarie University 

· Yuhong Bai (Executive Editor-in-Chief of Light: Science & Applications) - Light Publishing Group 

· Archana Bhaw-Luximon (Professor)- University of Mauritius 

· Deepa Venkitesh (Professor)- Indian Institute of Technology Madras 

· Yihui Wu (Professor) - CIOMP 

· Marie Berthuel (Product & Communications Manager) - Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells (BeFC) 

· Jianhua Zhang (Professor) - Shanghai University 

· Ferda Canbaz (Postdoc) - University of Basel 

This year’s event received a congratulatory email from Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, who hoped that women would think in a scientific spirit, act in a spirit of peace, light up the world with men, and make the dream of science and peace a reality. Well-wishing video clips were also received from colleagues and friends from India, Mauritius, Turkey, SPIE and Optica Student Branch in CIOMP, and Spirits-AI CEO, who all wished the event a complete success and called on women to pursue their dreams boldly in spite of challenges.

During the event, the guests first gave academic presentations on their scientific research work, industry development status and future trends, etc., and then talked about the advantages and disadvantages of women engaged in scientific research, achievements at work and challenges encountered, how to balance career and family, and suggestions for young female scientific researchers.

Since its launch in 2015, RISE has gradually expanded its international influence and received support and response from women in scientific research around the world. Ms. Hui Wang, host of the event, said she hoped that the event can encourage more young women to become “scientific roses” that would bloom in the garden of science and technology, and make the world a better place.