To Gain Equality For Women In Science, Men As Well As Women Must Share In The Effort

Over the past three years, the Association for Women in Science (AWIS), through a generous grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, has conducted a mentoring program, the goal of which is to increase the number of women in science (see story on page 1). Whereas mentoring is traditionally viewed as a one-on-one relationship taking place in an academic setting, the Sloan mentoring grant supported development of a nationwide outreach program targeting women undergraduate and graduate students. The program has been a great success. A recent survey revealed that while 76 percent of the participating students felt they had been impeded, because of their gender, in the pursuit of their scientific degrees and careers, 61 percent reported that the AWIS mentoring program had helped them address those barriers. Although most scientists do not have the financial resources to initiate large-scale mentoring programs, there is much that individuals--men as well as women--can do within their own institutions to encourage women scientists at all stages of their careers. Here are a few suggestions: Look at the composition of the institutional committees that extend invitations to scientists to present their work at conferences. Conference invitations are essential to career development and growth. AWIS has found that there is a strong correlation between the presence of women on invitational committees and the number of women invited to speak at special occasions. At one series of national ecological conferences, when there was at least one woman on the invitational committee, approximately 23 percent of the scientists invited to speak were women (a statistic commensurate with the number of women within the field). When there were no women on the committee, women accounted for a paltry 7 percent of the invited speakers. When interacting with women science students, the experienced scientist should share stories of difficulties and challenges along with examples of roaring success. Many budding scientists, both male and female, wrongly perceive that there is only one "sanctioned" pathway to success as a scientist--that one's success is predicated on an early decision to become a researcher, and, having made that decision, one necessarily follows a rigidly delineated academic and career track. This linear route allows no digressions for personal or unanticipated events, but very few scientists these days lead such lives. However, this persistent misperception discourages a disproportional amount of women who struggle to balance career aspirations with personal responsibilities. Encourage your institution to provide more research opportunities for all of its students. When the students in the AWIS mentoring program were asked to name the most important factor in their decision to study science, the most common response (64 percent) was that "science is enjoyable and interesting." Opportunities to participate in hands-on research projects early on can foster an enjoyment of science and can provide the vital connection between theory and application so often missing in introductory science classes. Finally, request a careful evaluation of the criteria used in making employment and tenure decisions at your institution. In addition to encouraging women's interest in the sciences, an effort must be made to promote their full participation and career potential. Outdated or unrealistic job descriptions can effectively block serious consideration of women scientists. For example, the backgrounds of the applicants for one high-level National Institutes of Health position are ranked against a theoretical ideal candidate, whose previous experience includes a position as dean of a medical school. Given that the number of women deans in the entire United States recently increased from one to three, the overwhelming majority of women scientists have been effectively excluded from full consideration for this position. A careful evaluation of the skills and experience needed in such positions might eliminate unfair requirements and encourage the consideration of more women (and men) for positions in all science fields. Too often the responsibility for fostering the success of women in science falls only on other women. When the sole woman scientist recently left the National Science Board, other members asked if she had found a female scientist to replace her. She replied no, and asked, "When did being female become a scientific discipline?" True equality for women scientists can be achieved only once the responsibility for promoting and encouraging women in the sciences is shared by all scientists. Catherine Jay Didion is executive director of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS), based in Washington, D.C. AWIS has recently published A Hand Up: Women Mentoring Women in Science. For more information, call (800) 886-AWIS.

To Gain Equality For Women In Science, Men As Well As Women Must Share In The Effort

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