Higher Education Research Data Collection 2012, Department of Education; Office of the Chief Scientist, Australia.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nSo the issue is not so much to encourage more women into science, but to keep them there.<\/p>\n
Improving the gender balance<\/h2>\n
There has been much talk and, I\u2019m pleased to say, action recently regarding improving the gender imbalance, particularly when it comes to competitive funding.<\/p>\n
Some of these initiatives include the National Health and Medical Research Council (which funds the majority of Australian biomedical research) recently instigating a program to directly link funding to gender equity programs. This includes institutions being required to implement mentoring and skills training strategies that promote and seek to increase women\u2019s participation.<\/p>\n
A quick note on the important differences between equality and equity; equality is giving everyone access to the same things, but equity is giving people access to the same opportunities.<\/p>\n
But I think we need to look earlier than when grants get awarded. We need to look at inequity at the level of students and early career researchers.<\/p>\n
Universities and medical research institutes need to step up to the plate in this regard. Which is why the The Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) trial currently happening at 32 institutions is so important and encouraging!<\/p>\n
This initiative aims to address the loss of so many women scientists, which The Australian Academy of Science describes as a significant waste of expertise, talent and investment, directly impacting our nation\u2019s scientific performance and productivity.<\/p>\n
No lip service<\/h2>\n
But, importantly, there needs to be better mentoring of junior scientists and senior staff need to be accountable for it, instead of it being a lip service process often fulfilled by an online module.<\/p>\n
The recent stories of sexual harassment coming out of the astronomy community are shocking, but even worse are suggestions that universities protected harassers and did not provide suitable means to make complaints.<\/p>\n
One thing that is particularly frustrating are reports of women being perceived as overly sensitive or difficult if they make complaints. Even worse is the perception that you will \u201cruin someone\u2019s career\u201d if you report them for harassment.<\/p>\n
Everyday sexism in science is endemic and pernicious, and needs to be addressed at the very earliest opportunity. Not to mention patronising and condescending advertising campaigns which thankfully, in the age of Twitter, get deservedly and hilariously ridiculed.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Crucially, we need women in science to be seen, and to be accessible, so they can serve as role models and mentors for future researchers. And we need support from our male colleagues, whom I\u2019m pleased to say are stepping up to the plate.<\/p>\n
If you are considering a career in science, get in touch with a scientist whose work interests you or who you\u2019ve seen in the media, and as ask them for advice. You will find many of us on Twitter and we love to talk about our work, usually without much encouragement.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Rachael Dunlop, Visiting associate<\/p>\n
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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