Diana Temple
Issue 40 of this journal, February 1996, page 3 carried an article entitled 'Should WISENET have a role as an umbrella group for women scientists' organisations?' This was the outcome of a meeting in Sydney in December 1995 attended by WISENET members and women representing a number of scientific bodies. Opinions of WISENET members and other readers were sought.
The meeting had also suggested that consultation be held with
FASTS (Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies)
about ways and means of establishing a women scientists' liaison
group. The Chief Executive Officer of FASTS,
Dr Toss Gascoyne, was contacted and was helpful, suggesting that
a note from WISENET could be included in one of the regular FASTS
newsletters which are distributed to its affiliated societies
(but which would not necessarily be seen by many women members
of the societies).
The following letter was sent to FASTS by Diana Temple and Sarah Miller; I understand an abbreviated version eventually was circulated.
Letter to FASTS:
'WISENET, an umbrella group for women in science.
'FASTS is an umbrella organisation which represents scientists in public and political arenas. At times when the views of women scientists have been needed, WISENET has been asked to represent women in science. For instance, WISENET was invited by both the former and the present federal government to regular Round Table Conferences of national women's organisations and also to the WISET advisory committee which produced a report on women in SET in 1995.
'Women scientists are seen as a minor group compared with other national women's organisations, partly because WISENET's membership is only a few hundred. To strengthen the voice of women scientists, WISENET is proposing to act as an umbrella organisation for associations of women scientists, engineers and technologists.
'In December 1995 a number of women from different organisations affiliated with FASTS attended a WISENET meeting in Sydney. They resolved that WISENET should consult FASTS about ways and means of forming such an umbrella group for women members of organisations affiliated with FASTS.
'FASTS member societies are invited to comment on this proposal. If your society agrees with it, WISENET and FASTS would like to hear how you think such an umbrella group might be formally or informally structured.'
Replies:
Five email letters received in reply to the Journal request and the FASTS circular (edited):
Patricia Tippett
Secretary, WIMS
As secretary of Women in Medical Science, Inc., a group based in Melbourne, I was interested to read that WISENET is canvassing feedback re the formation of a women scientists' umbrella group. I am asking WIMS committee members for their input and will write when these opinions are to hand. However we have been aware for some time that we need to liaise with other groups, especially for example when a submission to a Parliamentary group is to be made. I would appreciate any further information which may come from the consultation with FASTS on this subject. We may find that it has a practical application around the local Melbourne scientific groups too.
Dierdre Tronson
University of Western Sydney (WISENET member)
Yes, I do think it is desirable that WISENET either be an umbrella group or coordinate one. ...I have some comments based on my observations of people's behaviour in other organisations.
I think an approach to FASTS would be beneficial... It seems that once people have joined one organisation they are unwilling to join another-hence I can see that 'associate membership' of WISENET may not work. ..but ... we in WISENET would surely want a two-way operation: that is, we would want greater membership and awareness to follow from our efforts organising an umbrella.
Is there any way that a small increase in membership fees of 'affiliated' organisations and/or a donation from such an organisation would enable their members to receive the WISENET Journal? Or at least for members of executive committees to receive it and publicise events of interest.
Informal meetings of women from different organisations certainly feel good for those concerned and are a necessary start to forming a network... but if this is the only interaction, over a long term it can be seen as another clique and may not be a benefit to all the 'others out there' and may not spread the knowlege of WISENET much further afield.
I offer my congratulations for starting the process and my encouragement for its continuation.
Sarah Ashmore
Griffith University
(WISENET member)
I read about the idea of WISENET becoming an umbrella organisation for women scientists. I believe this is a good idea. At present we do not have a large membership when one considers the number of women scientists out there, and this may be a mechanism by which we can begin to more truly reflect the interests and concerns of all women scientists.
Stella Clark
Deakin University
I have recently taken up the position of research coordinator
with the Deakin Institute of Human Nutrition. I am also involved
in the promotion of research-especially among women-at Deakin
University.
I understand from a recent FASTS circular that you are thinking
of forming a women scientists' umbrella group. I would be very
interested to receive further information about this.
Victoria Wadley
Hobart
I noticed in the Australian Marine Sciences Bulletin 134 April 1996 that WISENET is considering forming a women scientists' umbrella group. I am interested in more information please.
I work as a fisheries researcher with CSIRO in Hobart, specialising in analysis of video images of seafloor habitat. I was one of two candidates, both female, initially admitted to part-time PhD studies at the University of Sydney, completing the degree in 1985.
Further steps:
The umbrella group topic will be brought up for discussion at WISENET's Annual General Meeting on June 18.
The reaction so far has not been overwhelming although delegates at the December meeting were in favour. What steps do we now take? Is the idea worth pursuing?
The suggestion of sending the WISENET Journal to all scientific societies, which has been made before, will be taken up, with a view to increasing WISENET's profile among scientists.
Margaret Hartley
WISENET ACT Convenor
A National Network Teleconference of CAPOW (Coalition of Participating Organisations for Women) was held on 23 May 1996. The key issue discussed at the teleconference, and one which affects WISENET's capacity to be effective, was the status of funding for women's NGOs. At present, CAPOW's funding will finish on 30 June 1996 and it was agreed that every effort should be made to secure further funding, as CAPOW had been extremely effective in achieving an unprecedented level of co-operation and collaboration between national women's NGOs.
CAPOW has been lobbying on behalf of the Network to gain the Howard Government's commitment for continued funding of women's NGOs particularly under the National Agenda for Women Grants Program. Representation had been made that very day to Jocelyn Newman, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women. It was disappointing to hear reports that whilst sympathetic to our cause, the Minister was ultimately in favour of NGOs being self funded! As WISENET is well aware of the burden 'self funding' places on its membership and the limitations voluntary staffing imposes on the amount of work that can be done by the Secretariat and Journal editorial team, every effort should be made to seek a firmer funding base for key national NGOs such as WISENET.
It was agreed to establish a media group to focus on maximising NGO influence at the next Round Table Conference being held on 12 June 1996 in Canberra. WISENET agreed to join a small group to discuss the future options for the CAPOW office, given the lack of funding past 30 June this year.
In the meantime, the Network agreed to lobby members of Parliament to raise the issue of pending funding cuts for women's NGOs.
Sarah Miller
There has been some progress on the electronic networking front since the last issue of the Journal. WISENET's World Wide Web pages are to be hosted by CSIRO and Jean Hollis Weber is coordinating the design and structure of the page.
A listserv called WIMSET for 'Women in Maths, Science, Engineering and Technology' is also being hosted by CSIRO. The listserv cannot be restricted to WISENET members and is open to Australians interested in networking about meetings, lectures and conferences related to the issues of women in maths, science, engineering and technology.
To subscribe, send the message:
subscribe WIMSET
yourname@your.address
to:
majordomo@its.csiro.au
Sarah Miller is responsible for WIMSET so if you have any queries you can contact her at S.Miller@syd.dcet.csiro.au or by phone at work on (02) 887 8110.
The travelling poster exhibition which WISENET produced and has promoted since 1988 will be shown in June at the 1996 Great Australian Science Show in Brisbane. Sarah Ashmore is arranging a roster to assist this. The exhibition was last displayed at ANZAAS 1995, in Newcastle.