Empowerment, exchange, cooperation - key issues in networking women scientists

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Empowerment, exchange, cooperation - key
issues in networking women scientists

• Conference Women in Academia
• Workshop Successful Networking
• Aarhus, 18 May 2009
• Dr. Maren Jochimsen

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Proportion of women and men in a typical academic
career, students and academic staff, EU25,
1999-2003
Source European Commission, Women Science
Latest Statistics and Indicators She Figures
2006, p. 55 Definition of grades A The
single highest grade/post at which research is
normally conducted B Researchers working in
positions not as senior as top position (A) but
more senior than newly qualified PhD holders C
The first grade/post into which a newly qualified
PhD graduate would normally be recruited ISCED
5A Tertiary programmes to provide sufficient
qualifications to enter into advanced research
programmes professions with high skills
requirements ISCED 6 Tertiary programmes which
lead to an advanced research qualification (PhD)
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Instruments for networking women scientists

• Individual level
• Mentoring and ambassador programmes
• Networking events
• Informal networks, including web-based social
  networks
• Structural level
• Formal networks of women scientists and for the
  promotion of women scientists

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Typology of formal networks women scientists

• National networks of women scientists in all
  disciplines (Femmes et Science, Donne et Scienza)
• Discipline and occupational networks at the
  national, European and international level
  (EUWIIN, PROMETEA, Network of Women in Philosophy
  in Denmark)
• In-university or in-company networks (Delft Women
  in Science, frAU Female Researchers at Aarhus
  University)
• Training networks (The Daphne Jackson Trust)
• Regional/International networks (BASNET Forumas,
  EPWS)

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European acknowledgement of the importance of
networking for women scientists

• 1999 Commission Communication Women and
  Science mobilizing women to enrich European
  Research" (COM(1999)76)
• ? Networks of women scientists have a key role
  to play in ensuring a better integration of the
  gender dimension in the research policy
• Declaration of Networks Active in Europe Women
  and Science Networking the Networks, Brussels,
  8-9 July 1999
• ?Networking among women scientists is essential
  to empower women scientists in their respective
  fields

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Rationale for the networking of women scientists I

• Support, enhance and empower women in their
  careers
• Inform, encourage and motivate girls and young
  women to choose scientific careers
• Provide role models and mentors
• Facilitate womens return to scientific careers

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Rationale for the networking of women scientists
II

• Campaign for family friendly measures
• Take part in the decision-making processes
• - to promote to contribute to shape science
  policy and scientific culture
• - to improve gender balance in science and
  research

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The creation EPWS to answer these needs

• Action Plan on Science Society 2001
• "There is a need for a framework under which to
  exchange experience and good practice while
  facilitating cooperation and consultation across
  sciences. This would create the mechanism for
  involving women scientists more actively in the
  policy process
• Under Action Nr. 24 Commission decision to set
  up a European Platform of Women Scientists to
  bring together networks of women scientists and
  organisations committed to gender equality in
  research
• 2003 FP6 Call for proposal for the establishment
  of the Platform

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EPWS Mission

• Represent the concerns, needs, ideas, aspirations
  and interests of European women scientists in all
  disciplines and all stages of their career paths
• Coordinate support activities for women
  scientists to facilitate their active role in the
  European Research Area as researchers as well as
  participants in the research policy debate in
  Europe

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EPWS Goals I

• Increase the participation of women scientists in
  European research policy and the shaping of the
  EU research agenda
• Enhance the participation of women in science and
  its decision-making bodies as well as in national
  and European research programmes, especially in
  FP7
• Promote the understanding and the inclusion of
  the gender issue in science and research

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EPWS Goals II

• Network the networks
• Strengthen contacts and collaboration among women
  scientists
• Provide contacts to high profile women scientists
  of all disciplines as keynote speakers, panel
  members and evaluators
• Identify funding and support opportunities

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EPWS Main Areas of Activity

• Networking-Membership
• Research Policy
• Public Relations and Information including
  Electronic Platform
• Private and Public Partnerships/ Fundraising

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Membership by Country
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Membership by Discipline
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Challenges ahead I

• Source EPWS Questionnaire Networking and
  Funding, November 2008

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Challenges ahead II

• Constant need for political awareness Risk to
  rest on ones laurels trend in Europe to
  consider the women scientists issue as solved and
  to focus entirely on diversity
• Need for administrative support
• Need for financial support of
• - running costs (structural support) including
  paid workforce to support existing voluntary work
• - support activities for women scientists to
  promote and facilitate their active role in
  research decision-making processes particularly
  in some countries and disciplines

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Why do we need specific programmes for women in
research and technology?
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www. femtech.at
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European Platform of Women Scientists AISBLRue
dArlon 38 B-1000 BruxellesTel 32 2 234 37
50Fax [phone]info_at_epws.orgwww.epws.or
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