|
Co-Sponsored Events
Careers of Women in Science: Issues of Power & Control
May 12-13, 2001
University of California at Berkeley, Clark Kerr Campus
Sponsored by University of California at Berkeley, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Society of Women Engineers, WEPAN, American Chemical Society, Packard Foundation
This is conference intended to expand diversity in the scientific workforce by encouraging the participation of young women, and particularly young women of color in pursuing scientific careers. It combined a broad recruitment conference coordinated with schools and organizations for high school girls and undergraduate women with a scholarly conference analyzing the extent to which women have obtained power in scientific employment situations and control over their working life. Presentations, panels, informational displays, and demonstrations integrated both threads of the conference. The audience included high school girls from the Bay Area, science and engineering faculty from northern California universities, and others.
back to top
Commission for the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering and Technology (CAWMSET)
WEPAN accepted an invitation to be an official partner of CAWMSET. As a partner, WEPAN worked with its members to implement selected recommendations identified in the Commission¹s report, Land of Plenty: Diversity as America¹s Competitive Edge in Science, Engineering and Technology. The report can be accessed from www.nsf.gov/od/cawmset.
back to top
International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES) XII: Women in a Knowledge-Based Society
July 27 to July 31, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario
Sponsors include Industry Canada, NRC and NSERC, Nortel Networks, CCPE
The International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists, held every three years, will challenge the world to a new vision of women's roles and contributions in the areas of science, engineering, and technology. It will also bring attention to the impact of technology and environmental issues on the lives of women and society. Sub-themes include "Women in Research and Development", "Women and Technology", and "Work-Life Balance". ICWES XII consists of series of presentations and posters on technical topics and on issues of concern women in science and engineering. The audience will include practicing scientists, engineers, advocates, and students.
back to top
Cornell Interactive Theatre: Human Relations Training in Engineering Education
In May 1997 the Cornell Interactive Theatre Ensemble and the Purdue University Campus Climate Workshop Group hosted an Interactive Theatre Institute focused on Human Relations Training in Engineering Education. The three-day Institute was sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and WEPAN.
Interactive theatre is a powerful medium for human relations training. Dramatic scenarios and facilitated follow-up discussions serve to stimulate the participants' exploration of the impact of interpersonal communications. By casting the audience in the role of participant-observer, its members can experience vividly a problematic encounter between human beings and then explore the implications of their own attitudes, beliefs and actions.
Examples of how interactive theatre can be used in training engineering faculty, teaching assistants and staff to be more effective both in and out of the classroom was presented. The scenarios emphasized gender issues.
The objectives of the Institute included:
- to encourage educational institutions to develop effective workshops for faculty, students and staff around gender issues in and out of the classroom.
- to provide the knowledge and tools necessary for development of these workshops.
- to foster a network of resources available to assist in the development of workshops.
- to improve the climate for women in engineering and science.
Cornell Interactive Theatre can be accessed from www.ohr.cornell.edu/cite .
back to top
The National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates, Inc. (NAMEPA)
WEPAN and NAMEPA hold a joint annual conference every 4-5 years. Previous WEPAN/NAMEPAN annual joint conferences have been held in 1997, 2001, and 2005. Proceeding from these conferences are available in the Publication Store.
In an effort for continued collaboration, NAMEPA and WEPAN held a joint board meeting at the 1998 National WEPAN Conference to formally establish a plan of action for collaborative activities.
back to top
National Engineers Week (NEW)
WEPAN has accepted an invitation to be an endorsing society of National Engineers Week 2001 scheduled for February 18-24, 2001. WEPAN has taken an active role in planning launching the newest addition to National Engineers Week Introduce a girl to Engineering Day! In support of this initiative, WEPAN served on the planning committee and presented at an NEW meeting on October 25, 2000 that included 40 representatives from engineering societies or organizations that focused on girls such as the Girl Scouts and the National Coalition of Girls Schools. The objective of the meeting was to share information about materials available to increase awareness about engineering among girls, their parents and educators and to obtain the commitment of the organizations involved that they will actively recruit members to get involved in this new initiative.
back to top
New York Academy of Science
"CHOICES & SUCCESSES:
Women in Science and Engineering"
The New York Academy of Science held a conference on March 12-13, 1998, in New York City entitled, "CHOICES & SUCCESSES: Women in Science and Engineering." WEPAN was pleased to serve as a cooperating organization along with AWIS and the National Council for Research on Women. WEPAN was well represented with Dr. Barbara Lazarus, WEPAN Board Member, moderating the session, "What Promotes the Development of Independent Scientists in Academia: Academic Policies and Practices," and Dr. Cinda-Sue Davis, WEPAN Vice-President moderating the session, "What Promotes Success in the Private Sector?"
The conference was thought-provoking and inspiring. A description of the conference theme adapted from the program follows.
In 1972, the New York Academy of Sciences sponsored a conference, "Women in Science: Determinants of Success." By highlighting the successful work and family lives of notable women scientists and engineers, the conference encouraged young women to pursue careers in science and engineering.
Today, many more women enjoy successful and satisfying careers in science, but their full and equal participation remains elusive, as new and different challenges emerge. This conference focused on the factors that influence women to select science careers. Leading experts discussed work, workplace and quality of life issues that promote women's retention and career development. These influences are related to organizational policies and practices that promote success not only for women, but for all employees, and therefore are in the best interest of science and engineering enterprises.
The findings of two new studies of women in Fortune 500 companies and biotechnology firms were released during this conference. Representatives from industry, government and academic presented effective practices and models of success.
Speakers, discussants and attendees included accomplished experts and professionals, as well as junior faculty, young professionals and students. The results and reports from this conference will be widely disseminated in print and electronic media.
For more information contact:
The New York Academy of Sciences
E-mail: Conference@nyas.org
Website: http://www.nyas.org
back to top
Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Association for Women in Science (AWIS)
On June 27, 2000, in Washington D.C., WEPAN joined with leaders of SWE (Society of Women Engineers) and AWIS (Association for Women in Science) to jointly publicize the CAWMSET findings and identify specific recommendations to facilitate collectively. CAWMSET, the Congressional Commission for the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering and Technology, examined testimony and research documenting the barriers faced by women and minorities with regard to access and retention in science, engineering and technology fields at all levels of education and in the workplace. Following the formal meeting, the three organizations arranged a reception on Capitol Hill to celebrate this partnership. The reception, sponsored by the IBM Corporation, was very well attended. Congresswomen Connie Morella, who introduced the bill to create the Commission attended and addressed the group.
back to top
Tackling the Engineering Resources Shortage: Creating New Paradigms for Developing and Retaining Women Engineers
Sponsored by the Engineering Foundation Center, Tackling the Engineering Resources Shortage: Creating New Paradigms for Developing and Retaining Women Engineers will be held at Club Tremblant, near Montreal, Canada July 14-18 1998. This conference will address critical issues facing industry today — namely how to increase the available technical workforce through enhanced recruitment and development of women engineers at the professional level and the need for cohesive, collaborative efforts. Although industry and academic institutions have identified and addressed the problem of retention of women engineers, too often advances are unshared beyond company boundaries or the engineering education community. The audience will include practicing engineers, engineering managers, policy makers, and engineering educators to discuss common experiences and objectives, explore existing and best practices for recruiting and retention, and develop strategies for the future.
|
