| Issue 62 (WAIS 2) Contents
|
Workshop 3C
Revaluing Women - Public
Recognition
Cathy Foley
Session Chair
In setting out to explore the impact that women are making on the public’s image and perceptions of science, this workshop evolved into more of an open discussion about communication at every level of science. At the beginning of the session the participants were asked to give their reasons for coming to this workshop and what they hope to get out of it. The reasons were many and varied, but they all gave a sense that the participants were serious about having successful careers. An important factor in this is presenting their work to the public.
Each of the panelists spoke briefly, sharing their personal experiences.
Cleo Cresswell, mathematician and science communicator from the University of New South Wales, gave examples of some radio interviews. A particular point she made about her success in this medium was how she had developed her style and image to suit her target audience.
Robyn Stutchbury, who had played a major role in Science in the Bush, talked about this very successful science program where women scientists went out to the public in rural locations around Australia. She mentioned that the one criticism the program received was that more men should have been involved. They had chosen women scientists often because the women were prepared to make the time to contribute.
It emerged that the younger women in the audience in particular felt they needed help in communication, as basic as how they present themselves in meetings so that they are heard.
Gisela Kaplan and Lesley Rogers who have both published extensively, talked about overcoming their own lack of confidence initially. They said that they became a lot more successful when they started cooperating and working out strategies together for meetings. Women often feel that they have to stand alone and will even reject other women, treating them as competitors. Women should be supportive of each other.
There is a myriad of different ways to promote science to the public, from publishing books through to television and radio. The public appreciate when scientists are seen as real people. Women often don’t recognise what a difference their broader experience of life makes in presenting to the public. They were encouraged to be more visible, to learn to be bold and confident! The workshop identified a need for more mentors to help get young scientists into the media.
They discussed women’s relatively poor success in prizes, grants and awards. While mentors would also help with this, women aren’t making the applications to the same extent and tend to give up if they are rejected the first time. They need to keep on trying and reapplying.
The workshop recommended that the next WAIS include a training session on practical aspects of presenting their science to the public.
WORKSHOP 3C PANELLISTS
Dr Cathy Foley
A graduate of Macquarie University, Cathy Foley has worked for CSIRO for 18 years. She is currently Project Leader of the Superconductivity Group in CSIRO Telecommunications and Industrial Physics. Cathy is a member of WISENET and has a long-standing interest in women’s issues – around 15 years ago she was instrumental in starting Women in Physics in the Australian Institute of Physics. She has also been very active in presenting her research to the public.
Dr Clio Cresswell
Clio Cresswell is a mathematician, a writer and a presenter. She lectures in mathematics at The University of New South Wales, where she is a Visiting Fellow. In the past few years you may have seen her on Beauty and The Beast (Foxtel & Channel 10) or The Panel (Channel 10), heard her on a number of shows on radio Triple M (Melbourne), or read some of her articles in the monthly magazine, Newton.
Ms Robyn Stutchbury
Robyn Stutchbury is a freelance specialist science journalist. For five years, she presided over the Australian Science Communicators in NSW and during that time managed the Eureka award-winning ‘Science in the Pub’. She has just completed a second successful season of ‘Science in the Bush’, a government-funded project in partnership with ABC local radio, taking distinguished Australian women scientists to regional communities throughout Australia.
Prof Lesley Rogers
Lesley Rogers is Professor of Neuroscience and
Animal Behaviour at the University of New England. She has a Doctor or Philosophy and Doctor of Science from the University of Sussex and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. She has a leading international reputation for her research on brain development and behaviour, with a particular emphasis on lateralization of brain function. She has published a large number of scientific papers and books, many of the latter jointly with Prof Gisela Kaplan.
Prof Gisela Kaplan
Gisela Kaplan is a research professor in Biology and Education at the University of New England. She has authored 15 books on animal behaviour and feminism and a large number of research papers. She is a member of various international scientific committees, such as Primatology, and serves in an advisory capacity on animal welfare for state government. She rehabilitates wildlife in her spare time and is often in the media.