WISENet News – July

We’re still searching for a Convenor for the Vic WISENet group….  You don’t have to take on the whole job.  Contact me diane@burnet.edu.au or Anna Anna.robinson@bigpond.com if you’re interested.  Thanks.

Meeting at the Clayton Campus (Monash/CSIRO)

The next meeting of the Clayton sub-group will be at lunch time on Wed. 4th August.  For more information contact Alena alena.glaister@sci.monash.edu.au

Speakers Required for a Scientists Breakfast

A message from Jo Eager jeager@hyperion.strathcona.vic.edu.au  Received July 19^th.

Hi

Each year as part of Science week we have a Scientists Breakfast at our school.  I was hoping that you would be able to help me with finding some scientists who would be able to speak to our girls.

The breakfast is to be held on the 17th August 2004 at 7:30 am. The aim of the event is to promote greater enthusiasm and involvement of girls in studying science and to broaden their awareness of different areas by giving them the opportunity to hear from people directly involved in research. The format is to be the same as in past years - 3 speakers each giving a 10 minute talk about their area of work.

I would really appreciate if you could assist me with finding some speakers for this event. I can be contacted by phone on 9836 1611 during school hours or on 9836 1853 after hours.

Jo Eager

 

[I have attended and presented at this breakfast event for the last two years and it is great fun.  The audience is enthusiastic and the other speakers are always very interesting.  If you would like to speak at the Scientist Breakfast please drop me an e-mail or contact Jo directly.  Please forward this invitation on to other women in science that you think might be interested in presenting. – Thanks, Diane]

WISENet’s 20^th Birthday

Do you have any messages, stories, photographs or other contributions that you would like to share.  Send them to Anna.Robinson@bigpond.com for inclusion in the journal or on the web site.

2004 Women’s Program, Engendering Negotiation success

A message from Brianna Thomson [brianna.ens@negotiate.org].  Received July 12

ARE YOU A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESSWOMAN? IF SO THEN READ ON...

ENS International is excited to launch our NEW two-day women's program, Engendering Negotiation Success, which specifically focuses on enhancing the influencing and negotiation capabilities of professional women.

SOME KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES ARE OUTLINED BELOW:

* How women's own perceptions and expectations are critical in influencing others
* how socialisation impacts gender roles, aspirations and influencing behaviours
* the external and internals that drive you and others you want to influence
* how power balance differences impact the outcome of negotiations
* how to prepare, plan and conduct negotiations using our systematic five step model.

Consider taking some time out to develop your own skills or if you know of any colleagues who may benefit from the Engendering Negotiation Success program then please pass a copy onto them.

UPCOMING 2004 DATES:
2-3 August  *Melbourne*
9-10 August *Sydney*
19-20 August *Perth*
13-14 September *Brisbane*

To register for the 'Engendering Negotiation Success' program please click here <http://www.negotiate.org> or contact me direct for more information.

Kind regards
Brianna Thomson
Marketing Support
ENS International
Level 2, 66 Oxford Street
East Sydney NSW 2010
T:+61 2 9331 4175  F:+61 2 9331 7512

 

Lectureship/Biophysical Chemistry/Macquarie

From Bridget Mabbutt bridget.mabbutt@mq.edu.au , July 6^th

More info at http://www.pers.mq.edu.au/ads/2004/Jun/4784.html .

Closing date is August 1st.

DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
Department of Chemistry

Lecturer in Chemistry
(Full-time (continuing)), Ref. 4784

The appointee will be expected to develop their own externally funded research program in Biophysical and/or Computational Chemistry.  Potential for innovative collaboration with existing strengths at Macquarie University would be well regarded. An ideal appointee would have a strong track record in Physical Chemistry and an ability to teach effectively in all areas of Physical Chemistry. The appointee will  contribute to the teaching of undergraduate units, supervise and teach postgraduate students, conduct research, and contribute to the administration, organisation and promotion of the Department of Chemistry.

Essential Selection Criteria: A doctoral degree (or equivalent) in physical chemistry or a closely related discipline with post-doctoral experience; demonstrated research record in any area of Physical Chemistry but an emphasis on Biophysical Chemistry will be well regarded; research interests and experience complementary to those of current academic staff, Biochemistry, Proteomics or Bioinformatics; and a commitment to high-quality teaching; and an ability to contribute to the Department's teaching program at all levels in Physical Chemistry, with emphasis on curriculum development in Biophysical Chemistry.

A conference for Women

Forwarded by Barbara Smith, July 1st

Just bringing to your attention this conference in all states later this year. Sounds pretty good! Melbourne session is on September 16th.

http://www.skillpath.com.au/SemDetail.html?ST=CONW&FS=&ZC=7000

AWISE Interactive website

Forwarded by Jean Fleming (NZ) jean.fleming@stonebow.otago.ac.nz , July 1^st

The AWiSE administrator, Terry Roy, has created a website that has the potential to be a really useful resource. It is structured in a way that makes it easy for people to post their own articles and comments on other people's articles. One of the articles that has been posted contains suggestions for making careers in academia more attractive to women. I would really like to see other people's comments on this. Please get posting. (See http://www.awise.org/articles/index.php.)

Esther Haines
University Chemical Laboratory, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW

 

University of Canterbury accused of gender bias

Disturbing news from NZ – forwarded by Tamsin Braisher <BraisherT@landcareresearch.co.nz>, June 30^th.

The Christchurch Press, 01 July 2004,

University accused of gender bias
By AMANDA WARREN -

Canterbury University is facing accusations of gender bias as female academics cry foul over alleged bullying and intimidation by the predominantly male hierarchy.

One lecturer has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and others are complaining of a male-dominated university culture  where women struggle to progress.

Senior lecturer in financial accounting Dr Sue Newberry last night confirmed she had laid a complaint with the HRC about an "unresolved employment-related issue".

Newberry would not go into details of the complaint for legal reasons but did tell The Press of a meeting with senior university management, called to address an employment issue, where she felt intimidated and bullied.

"I'm not prepared to accept that sort of treatment, that's the best I could say," Newberry said.

The HRC has yet to inform Newberry whether it will pursue her complaint.

Another female staff member, speaking to The Press on the condition of anonymity, said the university culture was not friendly to minority groups or women.

The problem did not exist in all departments, but in some cases, an obvious "Old Boys culture" made working life difficult for women.

She believed senior management was making a genuine attempt to address the problem.

The HRC this week released a report which showed Canterbury had the lowest percentage of women professors and associate professors of any New Zealand university.

Some 28% of the university's 653 academic staff are female yet there are just two female professors and four associate professors at Canterbury. They make up only 4.5 per cent of the 133 academic staff in senior positions.

Nationally, women hold 15.82% of senior academic positions at New Zealand's eight universities.

Commenting in its report, the HRC said questions needed to be asked about why the make-up of university faculties and departments did not reflect student and community demographics.

Association of University Staff (AUS) Canterbury branch organizer Anthony Rimell confirmed minority groups and women were not well-represented at the university.

Rimell said he had been approached by a number of women who felt they had been treated unfairly.

"There are concerns about the promotions process for academics. I believe the promotions process still carries a lot of traits of an earlier time. (Family needs and other issues) are seen as problems to be dealt with rather than differences to be embraced," Rimell said.

The AUS believed perceived gender bias was a big issue that needed attention.

The University of Canterbury has recently appointed Professor Ken Strongman as Pro Vice-Chancellor in charge of equity and diversity. Strongman, who also heads the College of Arts, is seeking expressions of interest for an advisory committee set up to tackle the issue.

Vice-Chancellor Roy Sharp said issues around equal opportunity and diversity needed to be taken seriously in any modern organisation, not just the university.

When told about the concerns raised by female staff members about an apparent Old Boys network and cases of bullying in some departments, he said: "I've received those kinds of comments myself now and again and I certainly take them seriously ... I am responsive to what people say."

Sharp believed there could be a number of reasons why the university ranked low in terms of women staff in senior positions.

"It might partly be because of the mix of subjects we have here, or a legacy of the past. I don't know that you'd find a single cause," Sharp said.

Former University of Canterbury Chancellor Dame Phyllis Guthardt said many women found it difficult to attain top academic positions for a variety of reasons.

"So many women have had to have time out when they have small children. They get behind with publications and such things that count very heavily when top jobs are being considered," she said.

Guthardt chaired a university committee which appointed senior academics, and said during her time very few women applied for promotions. When they did, the appointments had to be made on merit.

She acknowledged women had struggled in some departments which were dominated by men. However, her experiences with the university were problem-free.

"It wasn't difficult in the university. They always treated me with courtesy and respect," she said.


 

Obituary; Mrs Joy Dudine, AO

Received June 30^th,

Colleagues

Many of you will have had dealings with Joy Dudine, the former Executive Director of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering over the years. Sadly Joy has passed away after a battle with cancer.

A celebration of life for Joy will be held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Nelson Place, Williamstown, Melbourne on Friday 2 July, commencing at 2.00 pm.
 
No flowers by request. Donations can be sent to Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Locked Bag 5, A'Beckett Street Vic 8006.  Donation envelopes will also be available at the service.

 

New Membership Subscription Details

From Anna, received June 29^th,

Hello everyone,

It give me great pleasure to advise that we have found an organisation who will handle our membership database for $5 per member per year.  Membership will now be handled by:
     Mick Gould, Ph.D.
     Convention Associates
     13 Jeffrey St, Mt Waverley VIC 3149 AUSTRALIA
     +61 3 9887 8003 Fax +61 3 9887 8773

Please note:  WISENET membership is for a calendar year, January to December, consistent with our financial year.  Payment made at any time during one year is for that year.  Exception is made for NEW members who join in November or December:  their payments will apply for the whole of  the following year.  I appreciate that there was some ambiguity previously, but the issue was clarified at the 2004 AGM. ( Please see previous email with Minutes for details.)   Appropriate comment has been added to the application/renewal form (attached - fyi) and is also noted on the website.

For expediency, I have asked Mick Gould to forward renewal notices to those of you who have not yet renewed for 2004 so that you have a ready record.  It would be greatly appreciated if you could forward payment as soon as you can manage it so that we can plan for the rest of the year.   For 2005 subscriptions, renewal notices will be sent at the end of 2004 (in case you wonder why you are receiving two in close succession!!) and in December each year thereafter. 

I hope you are all happy with this new system.  It should certainly allow the National Link Team to manage the business of WISENET much more efficiently and effectively - especially as it rotates.  It eliminates the most arduous of our administrative tasks and will allow all members to spend more time on more enjoyable WISENET activities.

With great thanks to you all for helping with these arrangements,
Cheers,
Dr Anna Robinson
National Convenor