Women in IT: Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry 

On April 16, 2026, female experts from research and industry gathered for the fourth “Women in IT – Academia & Business” roundtable. This year’s event was hosted by Elektro-Material AG in Zurich. The aim of this format is to bridge the gap between research and industry and to foster a direct dialogue between scientific findings and business realities. 

Led by Prof. Dr. Ingrid Bauer-Hänsel, female decision-makers and researchers exchanged views this time across three thematic blocks: 

• The AI Shift: Changing Skills, Processes, and Work 
• Organizing for AI: Operating Models, Governance, and Transformation 
• European Digital Sovereignty 

A common thread ran through all three blocks: the question of how organizations and people can navigate the balancing act between ever-faster technological change and the development of sustainable competencies—at the levels of skills, organization, and the ecosystem surrounding AI. 

The highlight of the event was the tour of Elektro-Material AG, where participants gained insight into the practical application of robotics and AI-driven warehouse optimization. The fact that innovation is seen here not as a buzzword but as a purposefully deployed tool provided a compelling foundation for the subsequent discussions. 

The roundtable not only provided a wide range of ideas but also offered inspiring insights into current projects and research approaches. The mix of use cases, evidence, critical reflections, and pragmatic recommendations once again highlighted the value of the connection between business and academia. 

The roundtable is part of an ongoing series that takes place twice a year and pursues three goals: 

• Strengthen the bridge between research and practice 
• Promote mutual learning 
• Intensify exchange and visibility of women in IT 

A big thank you goes to Ingrid Knott and Elektro-Material AG for their hospitality and the impressive insights into their organization, as well as to all participants who contributed to the success of this meeting with their energy, openness, and expertise. 

We are already looking forward to the next meeting on October 22, 2026, at IBM Research in Rüschlikon. 

Research that changes practice, and practice that inspires research — we will continue to work toward this.