AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of September 4, 2009
eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson & Michele Montgomery
This week's issues:
1. Some Thoughts on Women in Academia
2. Input needed for Website for Young Women in Science
3. AWIS Receives ADVANCE Grant
4. Century of Physics Timeline Posters
5. Professional Skills Development Workshops (Astronomy)
6. Professional Skills Development Workshops (APS)
7. Astronomy & Astrophysics Prize Postdoctoral Fellowship
*** FOLLOWING POSITIONS TAKEN FROM WIPHYS ***
8. MIT Pappalardo Fellowships in Physics
9. Two Tenure-Track Positions, Dennison University
10. Faculty Position, University of Oregon
11. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN
12. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Some Thoughts on Women in Academia
From: Rosemary Mardling [Rosemary.Mardling
sci.monash.edu.au]
I am an astrophysicist at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. In
Australia there are four teaching/research academic levels: Lecturer,
Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor. Over all levels in
our Faculty of Science, 17% are women, and at the top two levels, this
drops even further to 9% (total staff 112).
The topic has been discussed to death with no resolution: women with
families or who plan to have families feel they do not want to subject
themselves to the huge stresses associated with academic competition at
the same time as coping with family life. The academic system (like any
system) has evolved to suit the majority. There are benchmarks for how
many publications and grants one should have to be worthy of any
particular academic level (or to simply enter the system in the first
place), and these of course are set by the majority. In my Faculty at
least, it seems that a large fraction of the male academic staff
(including young guys) have partners who stay at home or work
part-time. Such people have an enormous advantage, especially brain-
clutter-wise!
Try as I may, I cannot think of a solution to the problem. Is it
reasonable to ask that our family status be taken into account during
the bean-counting exercise performed by appointment and promotion
committees? As a male colleague once said to me: why should I do your
work for you? And many women colleagues without kids reasonably ask this
question even more loudly! While Monash does now ask committees to take
family status into account, I don't really think it is in practice.
In my opinion, the only way things will change is if (1): more *men*
start to feel that it is very unhealthy and unfair for the system to be
so biased towards men, and start making a noise about it, and (2): more
men experience what it is *really* like to run a family (and not just
claim that picking up the kids from school and emptying the dishwasher
constitute real involvement). This in turn will affect the benchmarks,
and will not disadvantage those without family responsibilities (in fact
it will help them).
While it is great to have an IAU resolution encouraging the support of
female astronomers, I don't really see how this will change things
practically until there is real cultural change in the broader
community.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Input Needed for Website for Young Women in Science
From: WIPHYS, August 28, 2009
The website "Under the Microscope" is aimed at encouraging young women
in science. The site includes a plea for stories, advice, and tips on
how to succeed from women scientists on their "About Us" page, linked
from the home page at http://underthemicroscope.com .
(thanks to David Ehrenstein, Focus editor, APS)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. AWIS Receives ADVANCE Grant
From: WIPHYS, September 2, 2009
August 31, 2009. The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) has
received an ADVANCE grant from NSF to partner with discipline societies
to improve recognition for women and minorities in STEM. This grant
will fund a new project: "Advancing Ways of Awarding Recognition in
Disciplinary Societies (AWARDS)," designed to create a sustainable
framework for assuring progress towards more equitable rewards and
recognition for women and members of underrepresented groups in a wide
range of scientific communities. The complete press release can be read
at http://www.awis.org/ .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Century of Physics Timeline Posters
From: WIPHYS, September 3, 2009
This dramatic timeline that depicts the past hundred years of physics in
a set of 11 posters was designed for the APS Centennial in 1999. A few
sets are still available for purchase. To order, please download the
Century of Physics Timeline Poster order form at
http://www.aps.org/programs/outreach/resources/timeline.cfm .
Price is $50 (US and Canada only) including shipping and
handling. International orders are calculated individually; please email
timelineaps.org for details before ordering.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Professional Skills Development Workshops (Astronomy)
From: Hannah Jang-Condell [hannahastro.umd.edu]
Coaching in the Art of Strategic Negotiation
In conjuction with the Women in Astronomy and Space Science 2009
Conference, a professional skills development workshop is planned for
the afternoon of Tuesday, October 20. Participants will develop
negotiation skills through interactive means including case studies,
personal assessments, and role playing. The workshop is open to postdocs
and early faculty. Although the workshop is designed with the needs of
women scientists in mind, persons of all backgrounds are welcome to
apply. Workshop attendance is limited to 40.
For more information and to sign up, go to http://wia2009.gsfc.nasa.gov/career_workshop/
and click on the link "Sign up for Career Workshop."
[or visit http://womeninastronomy.blogspot.com/ -- eds.]
I attended a very similar workshop put together by the APS [see next
item -- eds.] at the last March meeting and let me tell you, it was
EXTREMELY useful. Quite an eye-opening experience. However, the field of
astronomy has its own unique set of issues, so having a more tailored
workshop should be extremely helpful, especially for those of us on the
job market.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Professional Skills Development Workshops (APS)
From: WIPHYS, September 1, 2009
The American Physical Society will offer one-day workshops for women
post-docs and women faculty in physics on February 12 (Washington, DC)
and again on March 14 (Portland, Oregon), in association with the 2010
APS annual meetings.
Workshops will be limited in size for optimal benefits. There will be
separate sessions as follows:
Friday, February 12: women post docs and tenured women faculty Sunday,
March 14: women post docs and tenure-track women faculty
Women of color are especially encouraged to apply.
The workshops will offer professional training on effective negotiation,
communication and leadership skills, as well as a special opportunity
for networking at the reception afterwards. There will be separate
sessions for post-docs and women faculty.
All participants may receive a stipend of up to $850 towards hotel and
travel expenses. Details are now posted at
http://www.aps.org/programs/women/workshops/skills/index.cfm .
To ensure maximum interaction, the workshops will be limited in size.
Support for these workshops has been received from the National Science
Foundation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Astronomy & Astrophysics Prize Postdoctoral Fellowship
From: Laurelyn Celone [laurelyn.celoneyale.edu]
The Yale Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics invites applications for
the YCAA Postdoctoral Prize Fellowship in Astronomy and Astrophysics, to
be awarded to a young scientist of exceptional ability who will have
received her/his Ph.D. by June 2010 in observational, theoretical, or
experimental astronomy or astrophysics/cosmology. The Fellowship is for
three years (renewed annually subject to performance), and offers
competitive salary ($60,000), benefits, and research funds.
Conveniently located between New York City and Boston, Yale offers a
lively intellectual environment and access to world-class astronomical
facilities, including the Keck, WIYN and SMARTS telescopes, and to
Chilean telescopes through collaboration with the Univ. de Chile, as
well as High-Performance Computing facilities. The YCAA Prize
Postdoctoral Fellow will be free to carry out his/her own research
program, although preference will be given to research interests that
align with those of the Yale astrophysics faculty (see
http://www.yale.edu/ycaa/membership.html ). Active research at Yale includes
solar astrophysics, nuclear astrophysics, astrometry, star formation,
stellar evolution, galactic structure, black holes, local group
galaxies, high-energy astrophysics, multiwavelength surveys (QUEST,
GOODS, COSMOS, MUSYC, SDSS), active galaxies and blazars, galaxy
evolution, galaxy clusters, large-scale structure, gravitational
lensing, dark matter, dark energy, and cosmology.
Applicants should send their curriculum vitae, bibliography, and a brief
description of the anticipated research program by November 8, 2009 to
the address above. Email submission as a pdf is strongly
preferred. Candidates should also arrange for at least 3 letters of
recommendation to arrive by November 8. Fellowship candidates will
automatically be considered for any open postdoctoral positions at Yale
in their fields of interest, unless they ask to be considered only for
the YCAA Prize Postdoctoral Fellowship. Yale is an Affirmative Action/
Equal Opportunity Employer, and we particularly encourage applications
from women and members of minority groups.
Included Benefits:
Medical insurance, maternity leave (unpaid), dental insurance offered at
$43.30 a person.
Submit Applications To: pamela.boswardyale.edu
Attention: Pamela Bosward, Executive Assistant to the Chair,
YCAA Prize Postdoctoral Fellowship Selection Committee
Yale University, Department of Physics
P.O. Box 208120
New Haven, CT 06520-8120
USA
Tel: 203-432-3651
Fax: 203-432-8552
URL1: http://www.yale.edu/physics
(Yale University, Department of Physics)
URL2: http://www.yale.edu/ycaa
(Yale Center for Astronomy & Astrophysics)
URL3: http://www.astro.yale.edu
(Department of Astronomy)
Email Submission Address: pamela.boswardyale.edu
Email Inquiries: daisuke.nagaiyale.edu .
The closing date for receipt of applications: 11/08/2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. MIT Pappalardo Fellowships in Physics
From: WIPHYS, September 4, 2009
Nominations for the 2010-2013 MIT Pappalardo Fellowships in Physics
competition are open through Friday, September 11, 2009. Candidates for
the Pappalardo Fellowships cannot apply themselves, but must be
sponsored by a faculty member or senior researcher within physics,
astronomy or related fields. Nominations should be submitted on-line
via the Pappalardo Fellowships web site, and do NOT require letters of
reference at this time.
Please visit the link below to submit your nomination form:
http://web.mit.edu/physics/research/pappalardofellowshipsprogram/competition_10.html
Note that nominees must be young women or men of exceptional ability who
currently have or will have received a doctoral degree in physics,
astronomy or related fields by September 1, 2010. Should you need
further information, please contact the program's administrator,
Ms. Carol Breen, at breenmit.edu.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Two Tenure-Track Positions, Dennison University
From: WIPHYS, September 3, 2009
The Denison University Department of Physics and Astronomy invites
applications for 2 tenure track assistant professor positions preferably
starting Fall, 2010, although a later start may be considered under
exceptional circumstances. Ph.D. required. We are seeking candidates
vitally interested in teaching physics at both the beginning and
advanced levels including laboratory-based courses. The successful
applicant is expected to carry out active research with the involvement
of undergraduates. Substantial start-up funds for research will be
available, and Denison supports generous professional and family leave
programs.
Denison University is a highly-selective liberal arts college of 2100
students, located in Granville, Ohio, 30 minutes from Columbus. The
department consists of seven faculty, a technical assistant, and an
academic administrative assistant. Facilities include excellent
equipment for both teaching and research, first class on-site
experimental labs, a link to the Ohio Supercomputer, an observatory, a
planetarium, and a 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 transcripts, a
description of teaching interests and experience, a proposed research
plan including the means for involving undergraduates, and three (3)
letters of reference online at https://employment.denison.edu .
Applications received by October 15, 2009 will receive full
consideration; applications may be accepted until the position is
filled. Denison's commitment to foster a diverse community is central to
our liberal arts mission, therefore candidates from traditionally
underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Faculty Position, University of Oregon
From: WIPHYS, September 4, 2009
The Department of Physics at the University of Oregon invites
applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the areas of
theoretical particle physics, astrophysics, or cosmology. We anticipate
an appointment at the level of assistant professor.
Candidates will be considered in all areas of theoretical particle
physics, including the physics of the standard model and beyond,
astro-particle physics including dark matter and dark energy, and
theoretical cosmology. The successful candidate will have a PhD in
Physics or related discipline, demonstrate a strong record of research,
and participate effectively in teaching at the graduate and
undergraduate levels. Applicants should submit a letter of application,
curriculum vita, list of publications, and a brief statement of research
interests. They should also arrange to have a minimum of three letters
of reference sent directly to us. Applications and letters of
recommendation should be sent to theorysearchuoregon.edu ; PDF format
for all documents is strongly preferred.
The position begins in Fall 2010. Review of applications will begin
November 15, 2009. We shall consider applications until the position is
filled. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. For further
information, please visit http://physics.uoregon.edu or contact the
search committee at theorysearchuoregon.edu. The successful applicant
will support and enhance a diverse learning and working environment.
An equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to
cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN
[Please remember to replace "" in the below e-mail addresses.]
To submit to AASWOMEN: send email to aaswomenaas.org
All material sent to that address will be posted unless you tell us otherwise
(including your email address).
To subscribe or unsubscribe to AASWOMEN go to
http://lists.aas.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aaswlist
and fill out the form.
If you experience any problems, please email itdeptaas.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN
Past issues of AASWOMEN are available at
http://www.aas.org/cswa/AASWOMEN.html
Each annual summary includes an index of topics covered.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AASWList mailing list
AASWListaas.org