| Greetings!
AWIS has received a three-year grant from the Elsevier Foundation in the amount of $105,000 for a new project: "AWIS Leading Women to Create Their Own Personal Work/Life Balance." The program will be launched on February 16 in Chicago with a workshop titled "Learn to Juggle Without Joining the Circus: Strategies to Deal with Your Career and Work-Life Balance Challenges."
The event takes place on Monday, February 16, 2009 from 7:30 am - 11:30 am at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Best regards,
Janet
___________________
Janet Bandows Koster
Executive Director |
| Education |
|
Engineering Not on Radar for Kids or Parents
A projected shortage of 70,000 U.S. engineers by
2010, may be a product of children's view and parents lack of encouragement
regarding engineering. This American Society for Quality
(ASQ) study found 85% of kids are not interested in a future engineering career. The most
highly cited reasons included little knowledge about the subject (44%) and a
preference for a more exciting career (30%). Parents may be partially to blame.
The study found only 20% of parents have or will encourage consideration of a
career in engineering, despite 97% of parents reporting they believe knowledge
of math and science will help their children have a successful career. Notable
gender differences among parental encouragement were also found. For example, 31%
of boys vs. 10% of girls were encouraged to consider engineering. To address
this shortage ASQ will offer webinars during National Engineers Week, February
15-21. Titled "Real World of Engineering," the webinars are designed to provide
a clear view of what engineers do and what skills are necessary to become an
engineer.
Engineering's Image Problem
Increasing Family Friendly Graduate Student Policies
"If we want women to go into chemistry-and I really do;
I want to use the full human talent pool available-then we have to make
adjustments in what we do," says Richard N Zare, chair of the Stanford
University chemistry department. New family-friendly policies designed to accommodate
graduate students during prime child-bearing years began with a few schools in 2004,
and have increased considerably. With hope to
change the perception that the pursuit of science doesn't mix well with the
pursuit of family, these schools' new policies include at least six weeks of a
paid childbirth accommodation, and maintenance of other student benefits
including insurance and access to university facilities. While some schools
have only helped one or two students, the policies have been well received and
contributed to positive feelings among men and women, both in and outside
the university.
Increasing Parental Policies for Students
|
| Government |
Lilly Ledbetter Act: First Legislation Signed by Obama
At the end of her 19-year career at
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, worker Lilly Ledbetter learned that her pay was only 75-80% of her male counterparts. Ms. Ledbetter sued, alleging gender-based pay discrimination and the
case was ultimately argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007. In a 5-4 decision, the majority ruled that
employees must file a discrimination claim within 180 days of the first discriminatory
event, regardless of when the disparity is discovered. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which Obama signed
on January 29, 2009, overturns this Supreme Court decision by defining every paycheck as a new
act of discrimination, thereby extending the 180-day statute of
limitations.
Obama Signs Ledbetter Act (video and article)
|
| International |
Globalization, U.S. Scientists and
Engineers
This report entitled 'Ensuring a Globally Engaged Science and Engineering
Workforce' emanates from a three-day workshop held September 20-22, 2006, at the
National Science Foundation. The report discusses the role the U.S. should take in promoting
STEM education, and highlights the importance of embedding global competence
into all aspects of curriculums, research strategies, and innovation activities.
Additionally, the report reviews the importance of partnerships between various
levels of government, academia and industry.
Globally Competent U.S. Science and Engineering Workforce
America Behind China in Science
Facts and Reasoning Abilites
A recent study compiled the test scores of almost
6,000 incoming freshmen majoring in science and engineering - prior to
receiving college-level instruction. In tests covering basic knowledge of
mechanics the Chinese students averaged nearly 86 percent, while Americans
averaged only 49 percent. Further, upon testing
more theoretical and complicated concepts, the
Chinese scored 66 percent and the Americans only 27 percent-only 7 percentage points
above "chance level." The research suggests
that while teaching methods are different in both countries, neither is particularly
effective at helping students acquire reasoning skills. Lei Bao, the study's
lead author, believes this study should encourage educators to embed more
"inquiry based" learning into their classroom instruction.
Blinding Them With Science
|
| Careers |
Perceived
Work-life Demands of Academic Research
Doctoral students are eschewing the
"fast-track" to tenured, research-intensive positions because of perceived work
demands. In a survey issued to over
19,000 University of California doctoral students, the majority of respondents
cited work environment and expectations for these positions as being too
demanding to permit a tolerable work-life balance. As compared to previous generations, today's
doctoral students include a higher percentage of women, anticipate being part of a
two-income household, and expect a greater degree of job flexibility. The faculty culture of most academic
institutions has not changed to accommodate this new candidate profile. The authors suggest that by developing
part-time and leave-of-absence programs, and fostering a culture supportive of
working parents, these institutions can overcome such negative perceptions and
reap the rewards of a diverse, motivated candidate pool.
Finding Work/Life Balance
Sisterhood
of Workplace Infighting
Leadership coach Peggy Klaus discusses
the issue of bullying in the workplace. A study by the Workplace Bullying
Institute found female bullies target other women more than 70% of the time.
There are plenty of excuses women give, including the scarcity excuse, "why
help someone who can replace me?" and the D.I.Y. Bootstrap Theory, "no one
helped me, do it yourself!" The same gender role differences that perpetuate women's
inequality in the work place also perpetuate bystanders. Teaching career skills will
not address the issue if we "ignore learning to value one another so we can
all get ahead." Klaus claims we must simply stop our own misbehavior and to call our
colleagues on theirs.
Women Bullying Women
Non-Science
Jobs in Science
In light of the recent unemployment
statistics, students in the Class of 2009 should not wait until graduation to
begin their job search. The healthcare,
biotech, and pharmaceutical industries are cited as having growth potential,
but not necessarily in the areas one might think. Companies in these industries may hold
promise for non-science majors;
political science students can find opportunities in healthcare policy,
and those with engineering backgrounds may find positions within Healthcare
Information Technology. Other industries
expected to grow in demand for science and non-science majors include
government and education.
Job Searching in a Tough Economy
|
| Science and Health |
Coffee Consumption Reduces the Risk of Dementia
A recent
study from the Karolinska Institute in
Sweden, published in The Journal of
Alzheimer's Disease, linked moderate
coffee consumption by middle-aged adults to reduced incidence of dementia and
Alzheimer's disease. Over 1400 men and
women were followed for approximately 20 years, and a 65% reduction in dementia
incidence was observed in individuals who consumed three to five cups of coffee
a day. This difference was measured
after scientists controlled for other variables, including elevated cholesterol
and high blood pressure, and a similar trend was observed in the small number
of people who drank more than five cups of coffee a day. Previous studies have linked coffee
consumption to reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease,
but this study is novel since researchers were able to follow up with more than
70% of the study subjects after their initial enrollment 20 years earlier.
Dementia Reduced by Coffee Consumption
New Dimensions and Strategies for Women's Health
The Office on Research of Women's Health at NIH will be
holding a scientific workshop March 4 - 6, 2009 at Washington University in St.
Louis. The conference will include input
from a variety of stakeholder groups including researchers, clinicians,
patients, advocacy groups, community organizations, and industry. The first of
a series, these workshops will explore new dimensions for the NIH women's
health research agenda in the next decade and will include a session on women
in biomedical careers.
Moving Into the Future: Women's Health Conference
|
| Lifestyle
|
The Importance of Sleep
Without deep sleep you're more likely to get sick,
feel depressed, and gain an unhealthy amount of weight. Performing complex
tasks and navigating complicated relationships also becomes increasingly difficult
on 5 to 6 hours of sleep. This Harvard Management update gives a few
suggestions for getting more out of your sleep time including sleeping in a restful environment and in a completely darkened room.
Making the Most of Your Sleep Time
|
| AWIS News and Events |
UCSD Women in Science and Engineering
(WISE), GradWISE, and the Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women's Health
Research proudly present
Dr. Phoebe Leboy
Endeavors of a Biochemist and Women's
Advocate
with introductory remarks by Kim
Barrett, PhD
Friday, February
6, 2009
2:00pm
Leichtag
Building Lecture Hall
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA
Additionally,
please join UCSD Wise and GradWISE for
A Roundtable Discussion with Dr.
Phoebe Leboy
Thursday,
February 5, 2009
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Women's
Center Conference Room
AWIS San Diego Chapter
Event: Strategy Session-Speed Networking
How to give and get information effectively in a short amount of time
Date: Monday, February 2, 2009
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Biogen Idec
Register: To register for this members only event please visit: www.awissd.org
AWIS Massachusetts Chapter
Event: Chapter Elections and Social
Date: Thursday, February 5, 2009
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: Broad Institute, 7 Cambridge Center, Cambridge MA
Cost: Free
Register: www.acteva.com
AWIS Philadelphia Chapter
Event: A Panel Discussion:
What Is Career Success for Scientists in Industry?
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - Check-in, Dinner. 6:45pm - Program
Location: Cafeteria - Centocor, Inc. 145 King of Prussia Rd,
Radnor, PA
Cost: $16 for AWIS members, $20 for non-members,
$12 for students and postdocs
Register: By 12:00 noon, Friday, February 6, 2009
Registration with payment: www.awisphl.org.
Your on-line payment will be acknowledged when you make your
reservation. All registrants will also receive a confirmation from
AWIS-PHL within 72 hrs. If you do not receive a confirmation, your
reservation was NOT received, and you should contact rsvp@awisphl.org (preferred), or call Ellie Cantor at 610-935-5455 (also for any questions about the reservation process).
Note: This is a pay-in-advance event. Cancellations received by noon, Tuesday, February 10, 2009, will be credited to future meetings; no refunds or credit for no-shows; no-shows who have not pre-paid will be billed.
AWIS East Bay Chapter
Event: February Networking Social
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Location: Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Free (no-host bar & food)
Directions: www.jupiterbeer.com
AWIS San Francisco Chapter
Event: Pragmatic Advice For Your Career - Judy Heyboer
What you wanted to know but were afraid to ask!
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Genentech,
611 Gateway Boulevard- Building 83, conference Room 1B
(or 83-1B), South San Francisco
Cost: $8.50 members, $17 non-members, $25 late registration
(A light supper will be provided)
Register: via ACTEVA
AWIS St. Louis Chapter
Event: Organizational Meeting and Book Discussion
Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory: Women
Scientists Speak Out by Emily Monosson
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Time: 6:30pm to 7:00pm - Organizational Meeting
7:00pm Book Discussion -
Location: Schlafly Bottleworks - www.schlafly.com
RSVP to ksinger@levee.wustl.edu
Feel free to come even if you do not have time to read the book and/or do not get a chance to RSVP ahead of time.
|
|
|
|
Opportunities |
Student Summer Research: The Computing Research
Association's DREU Program
Student and mentor
applications for the summer 2009 program will be accepted until February 15,
2009. Awards will be announced in March 2009.
Funding for the student
consists of $600 per week for research, plus relocation travel assistance when
appropriate. A student's funding is intended to cover 10 weeks of research in
the summer of 2009, but alternative arrangements are possible. Additional funds
may be available to support student conference travel, either during the summer
or afterward, and for outreach activities promoting the DREU.
Click here for more information on Distributed Research Experiences for Undergraduates (DREU)
Click here for Additional Summer Research Programs
Boulder
School for Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
July 6 - July 24, 2009
The goals of this school are twofold:
First, to provide a pedagogical introduction and overview of the fundamentals
and recent progress in nonequilibrium statistical physics for young researchers
working in both theory and experiment, and second, to point out opportunities for
fruitful future developments.
Deadline: February 27, 2009.
Click here for more information
James S. McDonnell Foundation Research Awards
21st Century Research Awards are designed to support
research projects with a high probability of generating new knowledge and
insights. Projects submitted for funding consideration should be at an early,
even preliminary stage of development, and should be intended to break new
ground or to challenge commonly-held assumptions. Projects submitted should be
sufficiently novel, cross-disciplinary, or heterodox so that they have a strong
likelihood of influencing the development of new ways of thinking about
important problems
Application Deadline: March 17, 2009
Click here for more information or to apply
AWIS Coaching Program
Join Marci Moore and Pam Williams for a 6-week program just for professional women that
will help you boost your energy and create the kind of balance that works for
YOUR life. The program includes 6 live weekly tele-seminars,
recordings of each of the live tele-seminars, a Take Off the Cape workbook,
access to the Take Off the Cape and Soar online community and more. To learn
more, call Pam Williams at (727) 393-2341 or email coaching@awiscoaching.org.
| |
|
|
|
|
AWIS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Neal F. Lane |
|
The National Academy of Sciences announced that it will present its prestigious Public Welfare Medal to Neal F. Lane. Dr. Lane was director of the National Science Foundation from 1993 to 1998 and Assistant to President Clinton and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 1998 to 2001. He is currently a Malcolm Gillis University Professor and Senior Fellow of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.
More about Dr. Lane
|
|
|
Support AWIS
|
Help other women in science! Donate to AWIS for its programs and/or to the Educational Foundation for its fellowships.
Your tax-deductible donation to AWIS supports the wide-ranging advocacy
and career development activities of the National Office and the
Executive Board.
|
Learn more
|
|
|
