Caliper: Interview with role models  

As a part of project Caliper an interview was published with Marina Anić. The goal of the interview is to promote horizontal principles, equality, and representation of women scientists at the university and their involvement in projects.  

Interviewer: Please tell us something about yourself: where were you born and how did your childhood environment influence who you are today?  

I grew up in Zagreb, in a beautiful house, surrounded by family and love. I spent a lot of time with my siblings in Lika, where my grandmother lived. Together we spent our days playing outside and exploring nature. I spent summers in Korčula with my grandfather, who was an oenologist and worked in agriculture all his life. All this somehow influenced me to enroll in the Faculty of Agriculture and focus on viticulture and winemaking.  

Interviewer: What were your favorite subjects in school and did those subjects help you do the job you do today?  

My favorite subjects were chemistry, biology, and mathematics. I always preferred natural sciences, which later led me to study and work as an assistant in viticulture. Throughout elementary and high school, I played various sports and played several instruments. I was a curious child who was never bored, constantly on the move and ready for new adventures and learning opportunities.  

Interviewer: Did you have role models in your childhood and if so, how did they inspire you?  

In my childhood, I had no role models. Depending on the stage of my life, I had different people who influenced me – parents, friends, professors who helped me become what I am today.  

Interviewer: Regarding your career – what are you most satisfied with?  

What motivated me most to pursue a career in science is the constant desire to learn, to acquire new skills and knowledge, which coincides perfectly with my second desire – to spend more time in nature, and less in the office. The profession requires keeping up with innovations and new knowledge, and there is always the opportunity to work and improve.  

Interviewer: Can you tell us about the project or event that you consider crucial in your career and was the aspect of genre included? 

I am currently working on my PhD, which is both the most challenging and exciting thing for me. I have a great working atmosphere, good colleagues, and a dynamic job. In addition, I enjoy working with the students. I make a special effort to teach them the material in as interesting and simple a way as possible and to get them excited about working in viticulture and winemaking. With my colleagues, I often take part in various workshops and conferences that also involve the winemakers and winegrowers themselves, so we are always connected and complement each other.  

Interviewer: Have you or anyone in your environment experienced gender bias against women working in your field? If so, can you tell us more about it?  

In my current job, I have never experienced gender discrimination against women, and although there is a lot of physical labor, there are no differences between women’s and men’s work. I have worked in both California and Croatia in a winery as a cellar master. At the winery in California, we did all the work regardless of gender, while in Croatia, even today, sometimes care is taken to spare women from more difficult physical work. But then women must fight for themselves and strive to be treated equally.  

Interviewer: How do you think people should approach topics about gender equality, especially in your field – the viticulture and wine industry?  

It is important to talk about the problems we face, about the position of women in viticulture and the wine industry, and to educate people about the successes of people in our field. Today there is a growing number of successful female enologists, scientists and professionals working in viticulture and winemaking, but also in agriculture in general.  

Interviewer: What qualities do you consider most useful for someone dealing with discrimination?  

I think we all deal with various kinds of discrimination at some point. It is important to be persistent, to work hard, and to know your worth.  

Interviewer: What advice would you give, especially to young people, who are at the beginning of their career, and who struggle with gender discrimination? How to best deal with such a situation?  

There will always be problems at work. It is important to surround yourself with people who encourage you to work on yourself, to be a better person and a better colleague, to work hard and be willing to help others when needed.