IYA2009 Cornerstone ProjectShe is an Astronomer

Dr Helen WalkerSTFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

On behalf of the International Task Group

Why do this?

UN Millennium Development Goals, Goal 3:

Promote gender equality and empower women

Job opportunities open up but women often remain trapped in insecure and low-paid jobs

IAU/UNESCO IYA2009 Goal 7:

Improve gender-balanced representation of scientists at all levels and promote greater involvement by underrepresented minorities in scientific and engineering careers

Draw a Scientist Test!

Who does this?

• Task Group led by Eniko Patkos and Francesca Primas, set up in early 2008• Task Group drawn mainly from IAU Working Group on Women in Astronomy• Helen Walker took over as Chair in November 2008

• There are currently 15 members on the Task Group, from 11 countries (Argentina, Australia, China, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Lesotho, South Africa, UK, USA) • Task Group supported by Pedro and Mariana • Very small budget, 10,000 euros (mainly website)

CHIEFLY YOURSELVES!

What to do?

• Collect information (neutral, accessible)

• Allow people to read about the subject, ask questions and find answers, share good ideas and share good practice

• Find and highlight resources available (and develop new resources)

• Provide a forum where specific problems can be discussed

BUILD AND MAINTAIN A WEBSITE

How to do this!- the website

• www.sheisanastronomer.org is live• Quentin Stanley, Anita Heward and Emily Baldwin look after the website• Royal Astronomical Society hosts the website• Website will get a ‘make-over’ soon• It will grow during the year and remain as a legacy after IYA2009• It contains:

– Profiles of living female astronomers– Profiles of historic female astronomers– Ambassadors area– Events– Resources

She is an Astronomer – front page

People from 26 countries have been in touch

Some of the contributors

Around 90 women were invited to send in their profiles,

we have received 27 replies.

Replies from 11 countries

From the profiles

• Women have a passion for astronomy, they love doing it, they will work hard and put in long hours, and women are good at outreach

• Some smart thinking; things are getting better, there are many different astronomy jobs, accept help when it is offered, pursue good social interactions with your colleagues

• In many countries women are under-represented at senior levels compared to junior

Advice from the profiles for the individual

• Do what you enjoy, be flexible

• Keep a positive attitude, don’t be put off

• Break the job down into small parts

• Pick the one thing you excel at

• Get a life

• Get a mentor

• Start your family (if you want one) when you are young, energetic and flexible

Advice from the profiles for the family

• Find a supportive partner

• Train your partner

• Discuss issues, keep discussing issues

• The two-body problem is hard for both partners, and both partners end up with ‘career breaks’

• Explain to your family about your work in a captivating way, educate them, and this will help them support you

Advice from the profiles for colleagues

• Get yourself support and information from more senior people (women and men)

• Learn how the system works, join committees

• Help them get the male bias out of the metrics for recruitment and promotion

• Arrange to have sabbaticals at your home institute (instead of elsewhere)

• Get more admin support as you get more senior

Website –more data needed

• Who are the ambassadors? We want to know who they are and what they are doing, there is a lot going on without any help or advertising from us

• Who are the pioneering women from your country? We want to celebrate their work

• Do you have data, statistics, resources, events, examples of good practice? We want to advertise them

Coming very soonResolution B4

onSupporting Women in Astronomy

resolves1. that IAU members should encourage and support the female astronomers in their communities,2. that IAU members and National Representatives should encourage national organisations to break down barriers and ensure that men and women are given equal opportunities to pursue a successful career in astronomy at all levels and career steps.

How can individual members support female astronomers?-Be aware of attitudes, be actively inclusive and challenge inappropriate comment or behaviour-Encourage ‘good practice’-Nominate them for awards, committees, promotions-Mentoring, advice-Invite women speakers

How can national organisations support women astronomers?-Appropriate action (Baltimore charter, quotas, affirmative action, equal opportunities, flexible working, university places) -Funding support (two-body problem, returners, childcare)-Gather statistics-Ensure committees have more than one female member-Nominate them for awards -Enforce ‘good practice’

Opportunities –coming soon

• 2010 She is an Astronomer calendar – available to download and distribute• Starting soon – web forum, please join in• New opportunities – how about e-mentoring? – can it work?

• Please join in!• There are questionnaires for women, to help us get more data- please fill in • There are profile forms, please share your experiences with the world. If you think your country, or your experience is missing either get a form or nominate a colleague