Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 09:40:16 -0500 (EST)
Subject: CSWA Newsletter of 9/15/99
To: AASMAIL: ;
AAS Committee on the Status of Women
weekly issues of 9/15/99, ed. by Priscilla Benson
*** send email and addresses to aaswomen
wellesley.edu ***
This week's issues:
1. Women in Astronomy Database
2. Need Contributions to Status
3. Old Journals
4. Debate on Women in Science
5. Roommate for Cosmic Explosions Conference
6. Jobs
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1. Women in Astronomy Database
From: frattarestsci.edu (Lisa Frattare)
Women in Astronomy Database- Updates and New Entries Welcome
Lisa Frattare, STScI (frattarestsci.edu)
As part of its on-going commitment to promote the livelihood of
female astronomers, the Committee on the Status of Women in
Astronomy would like to remind you to update or submit your name
and information to the Women in Astronomy Database.
This site, begun in 1997, contains professional contact and
scientific research interest information for more than 215 women
in astronomy and other related fields. Menu driven search pages
allow easy browsing of alphabetical, geographical and
scientifically categorized information. We have also included
easy web links to e-mail addresses, institutional and
professional web pages and a submission page for your own
inclusion on this list.
The purpose of this list is manifold, and includes:
o a convenient way to find female speakers
(e.g., for colloquia, meetings, or public talks)
o a source for soliciting female job applicants
searchable by year of Ph.D. degree
o a resource for newcomers and/or people isolated
from large research centers (e.g., for women
isolated at small schools)
o quick access to statistical information about
current positions, academic degrees, scientific
interests, etc., of today's women of astronomy
We encourage all members of the astronomical community to use
the information provided in this database. The web site can be
reached from the CSWA web pages: http://www.aas.org/cswa or directly via
the website url:
http://www.stsci.edu/stsci/service/cswa/women
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2. Need Contributions to Status
From: frattarestsci.edu (Lisa Frattare)
To continue the STATUS feature "Notes from a Life" we need
contributions! These are short episodes that capture in small
ways the daily influence of gender in science. Here are a few
examples, and you can find more in the June 1999 issue of STATUS
www.aas.org/~cswa/pubs.html):
o I am a female astronomer listening to a talk at a
national conference. The speaker finishes and begins taking
questions. I raise my hand right away. The Session Chair
knows me and knows I am an expert in the area being
discussed, yet he takes questions from 5 men in the room,
all of whom raised their hands after mine. The questions
session ends and still, I am not called upon.
o At a conference I approach two male colleagues in my
field, wanting to introduce myself to the senior male whose
work closely parallels mine. I hope to join their
conversation about a science issue with which I am very
familiar. The senior astronomer turns away from his
counterpart- and begins to address me, saying, "Ah, but we
are boring this sweet young girl. What can I do for you,
dear?"
o A new chair has been hired for our Physics and Astronomy
Department. Three of the forty faculty members are women.
He addresses his very first faculty memo to "Dear
Gentlemen..."
o I participate in a research group that has a male lead and
both male and female members. I have established a visual
cue with one of my male coworkers that when I make a point
or ask a question that is ignored or downplayed by our lead,
my male counterpart will wait momentarily then ask the same
question or repeat the comment. Invariably, the male lead
replies with "Good question..." or "Good point made..."
Since "Notes" premiered in the last issue of STATUS, we have
received a number of contributions from readers (thank you!). If
you too have experiences to share, and want to make a positive
impact, please send them as e-mail to: cmustsci.edu or
frattarestsci.edu. Publication is anonymous but submissions
should be signed so that the editors can vouch for their reality.
(No "Ann Landers" stories from Yale, please!). The deadline for
the January 2000 issue is October 1, 1999, and later
contributions may appear in subsequent issues. Many thanks!
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3. Old Journals
From: IN%"lscholzaas.org" "Lynn Scholz" 9-SEP-1999
Perhaps readers would like to know:
There is an AAS Webpage for Donations The AAS has established an
Donation Forum site to bring together persons with astronomy-
related materials -- journals, books, equipment,etc. -- to donate
and institutions seeking such materials. The site is located at
http://www.aas.org/donation/. The AAS cannot provide funds to
ship materials but the site does contain information about
shipping options. Ed Anderson (andersonschubert.phy.nau.edu) of
Northern Arizona University will be maintaining the donation
pages and monitoring the postings. Questions may be sent to Ed
or to Kevin Marvel (marvelaas.org).
Lynn
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4. Debate on Women in Science
From: Andrea Schweitzer schweitzfrii.com
An interesting debate on women in science, sponsored by Nature,
just began on Sept. 9th.
You can check it out at:
http://helix.nature.com/debates/
Andrea Schweitzer
Cytomation, Inc.
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5. Roommate for Cosmic Explosions Conference
From: kristy kristymarcie.physics.ncsu.edu
I'm looking for another woman to share a hotel room at the Cosmic
Explosions Conference in Marland Oct 11-13. Please email
Kristy_Dyerncsu.edu
-- Kristy Dyer
NCSU Astrophysics
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6. Jobs
From: Edna DeVore edevoreseti.org
SOFIA Public Affairs Manager
Background:
Featuring a 2.5 meter telescope mounted in a converted 747SP,
SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) will be
the world's largest airborne observatory when it begins operating
in 2002. SOFIA is being developed and will be operated for NASA
by a team led by Universities Space Research Association (USRA).
SOFIA's extensive education and public outreach program is being
conducted by an alliance of two well-known astronomy
organizations-the SETI Institute and the Astronomical Society of
the Pacific.
Job Summary:
The Public Affairs Manager is a key member of the SOFIA Education
and Public Outreach Program and the SOFIA observatory staff. This
person will work closely with the Project Manager during
development and the Observatory Director during operations to
ensure a high level of public visibility for the observatory.
Job Responsibilities:
Develop and lead a proactive media relations program which will
provide information for the press and the public about SOFIA
science, technology, and discoveries, and which will be very
responsive to the needs and requirements of the print, broadcast,
and electronic media.
Write and distribute press releases and other informational
materials. Work closely with USRA and its SOFIA subcontractors,
NASA, Principle Investigators and their institutions, and
Germany's DLR to ensure a constant flow of accurate, interesting,
and up-to-date information to the press and public.
Work on other SOFIA education and public outreach projects as
required.
Minimum Qualifications:
B.S. or B.A. degree (science, journalism, or communications
degree preferred). Graduate degree highly desirable. Experience
as a working journalist or in media relations required. Knowledge
of astronomy required. Excellent English and communication skills
(both oral and written) a must. Demonstrated computer literacy
with working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email,
and world wide web required.
Reports to: SOFIA head of Education and Public Outreach
Status: Exempt
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From: Michael Mickelson mickelsoncc.denison.edu
TENURE-TRACK FACULTY POSITION
DENISON UNIVERSITY
The Denison University Department of Physics and Astronomy
invites applications for a tenure track assistant professor in
observational astronomy starting September 2000. Ph.D. required.
We are seeking candidates vitally interested in teaching physics
and astronomy at both the beginning and advanced levels including
laboratory based courses; the successful applicant will also
carry out active research with the involvement of undergraduates.
Preference will be given to candidates in the areas of astronomy
and astrophysics who have solid experience in observational
techniques and who have public outreach experience. Start-up
funds for research will be available. On campus interviews will
include presentation of research, classroom teaching and a
proposed public outreach program in astronomy. Denison
University is a liberal arts college of 2000 students, located in
Granville, Ohio, 30 minutes from Columbus, Ohio. The department
consists of a six member faculty, full time secretary and
technical assistant. Facilities include excellent equipment for
both teaching and research, a link to the Ohio Supercomputer,
observatory, planetarium, and well-equipped machine shop.
Additional information may be obtained from our web site at
http://www.denison.edu/physics/. Applicants should submit vita,
graduate school transcript, a description of teaching interests
and experience, a proposed research plan including the means for
involving undergraduates, and three (3) letters of references to:
Dr. Kimberly Coplin, Chair of the Search Committee, Department of
Physics and Astronomy, Denison University, Granville, OH 43023.
Applications received by December 6th will receive full
consideration. Please submit applications by post only. Denison
is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly
encourages applications from women and minority candidates.
END OF AD.
Submitted by Mike Mickelson, Chair
Denison University Dep. Of Physics and Astronomy
Granville, Ohio 43023
Phone: 740-587-6467
Fax: 740-587-6240
email: mickelsondenison.edu
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End of CSWA Newsletter of 9/15/99