Nelly Sakyi Hagan, a physicist from Ghana, specialises in physics education and the mathematical sciences. She recalls that science projects in basic school “got me intrigued in science,” and her mathematics drew support from teachers and classmates. Her father, a mathematics teacher, “used to teach a lot when I was very young,” giving her confidence and guiding her toward physics, which she pursued at university.
Her path was shaped by gendered discouragement. A lecturer once told her, “Nelly, you cannot study physics… I advise you to go into biology,” arguing that motherhood made physics unsuitable for her. She persisted, convinced she was “better at mathematics,” and carried that determination into her career, where she often became “the only female teaching physics” from elementary school to university.
She considers her most meaningful achievement, the impact she has had on girls in science, noting that “my presence… brought a lot of relief and some motivation.” Her commitment deepened through INWES, which she joined after her mentor, Professor Ruby Hanson, encouraged her involvement. At her first INWES event, the 2019 African Regional Network Conference in Nigeria, she realised the organisation shared her mission “to encourage women and girls, and to advocate for them to become interested in STEM.” She later became a Board member and chair of the Awards Committee, sharing the vision of “bridging the gender gap” worldwide.
Her message to women: “Never give up in the face of challenges.” “Be determined… see yourself as conquering every obstacle” and pursue their goals with confidence.