EWISH Works To Advance Opportunities For Women Scientists In European Nations

In January 1995, a group of leading female Swiss academics identified the need for an organization to promote the interests of women in the universities of Western Europe. They felt that women scientists and technologists needed an organization to support them in their careers and to enable them to have the confidence to reach senior management positions, where women are seriously underrepresented. In Western Europe, women are to some extent integrated into politics from the local level up to the governmental agencies. The same is true of medicine, law, and commerce, but the figures are astonishing when it comes to the university system. Currently, the proportion of female university professors of science and technology in Western Europe is less than 1 percent, but the number of female undergraduates in these same disciplines approaches 48 percent. In Western Europe, most of these high-ranking female academics are in disciplines such as the biological sciences and medicine. In former Eastern Bloc countries, more females study engineering and the number of female professors of technological subjects is higher. Why do so few of the female graduates in science and technology reach top positions in industry and academia? We know that they do not drop out of their courses in large numbers; in fact, if there is a difference in retention rates in science degree courses in the United Kingdom, it is the women who are most likely to survive. The women graduates find employment as readily as their male counterparts, but they are simply underrepresented in the university system at executive levels. In the former socialist countries of Eastern Europe, the situation of women is different. Traditionally, they were not discriminated against in the academic, scientific, and technological worlds. But they often face great financial hardship and frequently suffer more than men under the present economic conditions. European Women in Science and the Humanities (EWISH) was founded in 1992 to help overcome underrepresentation, economic deficiency, and other problems. An independent, nonpolitical organization that promotes and encourages women in science, EWISH is striving to increase the number of women in leading positions. It has established interdisciplinary networks in science and the humanities to encourage women who want careers in universities and research institutes; and it supports laws, programs, and connections with international organizations and bodies with the same goals. Since the organization was formed, Europe has experienced a vast amount of change both socially and politically. In times of political and financial instability, more people tend to be excluded from, or pushed out of, the labor market. This inevitably leads to a further deterioration of the situation for women in many respects. In periods of often drastic change, our members in 23 different countries have come to appreciate and take comfort from unbiased dialogue and objective commentary with female colleagues that EWISH facilitates. The current EWISH newsletter announces the Programme for Co-operation in Science and Research with Central and Eastern European countries and new independent states, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. In the same edition of the newsletter there is an article giving details of a successful application by one of our members. I cite this as living proof that EWISH is about more than just talking! EWISH has a broad portfolio of programs to provide practical support and guidance. These efforts include international exchanges for women working in various research and higher education institutions and in diverse specialties. EWISH also offers a forum to exchange information about international job openings. In addition, it offers information on different government and European Union (EU) funding mechanisms for research programs. In addition, one of our key objectives is to create awareness and to educate our political decision-makers on the rights and needs of women and the difficulties they face, so that appropriate approaches can be taken to make a start on solving the problems. Awareness of EWISH depends to no small extent on the strength and persuasiveness of its members: We do not have a permanent secretariat or large public-relations team. EWISH works closely with its sister organization in the United States, the Association for Women in Science (AWIS). It also has been accepted as a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Consortium of Affiliates for International Programs. Growth of EWISH has been slow but steady. It was founded by Emilie Jager, a professor, emerita, of geology at the University of Bern, Switzerland, and is now led by current president Tamara Grummt, a cell biologist from the Institute for Water, Soil, and Air Hygiene, Bad Ester, Germany. To keep in touch with members and manage the breathtaking changes in our political and social systems, we have several commissions: Consultation Commission, Nominations Commission, East-West Relations Commission, and Promotion of Women in European Universities Commission. We also have a working group consisting of members who are experienced in the process of making EU applications and who are aware of current funding sources within the EU. The group will provide information to members on request. For more information about the organization and membership details, please contact the president, Tamara Grummt, Unterlosaer Weg 7, D-08606 Oelsnitz, Germany or myself, J.M. Bainbridge, University of Teesside, Borough Road, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS1 3BA, U.K. We would be delighted to see you at our annual meeting in Nuremberg on 30-31 August 1997. Janet M. Bainbridge is president-elect of EWISH and director of science and technology at the University of Teesside, U.K.

EWISH Works To Advance Opportunities For Women Scientists In European Nations

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