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New Zealand Association For Women in the Sciences (AWIS)
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| AWIS Conference, Hamilton, July 2005. Photo: Liz Carpenter |
Fiona Carswell & Lisa Berndt
The New Zealand Association for Women in the Sciences was founded in Wellington in 1985. We encourage membership from any women involved, or interested, in science and we welcome the membership of women that span the range of scientific disciplines from biology to computer science to social and political science. Membership ranges on an annual basis from about 120-180 paid members although the number of women associated with branches who don’t actually subscribe to the newsletter is probably at least double this number. Branches are distributed throughout the country and the bulk of the networking is achieved through informal branch meetings although a quarterly newsletter provides the opportunity for contact with national and international perspectives on science policy, gender issues, science in education, science itself and, possibly most importantly, careers of our members. The organisation is run by a nationally elected executive committee and the location of this committee changes every three years. We also maintain a list server that members can join and contribute to and this is often used for posting job advertisements, gaining feedback on national policy and circulating international news items.
AIMS
Our aims are to
provide a network for women interested or working in the sciences to share scientific information, experience and skills
explore and speak on issues relating to women and science
provide social interaction with others who have similar interests
assist girls and women to gain confidence in their role in the sciences and increase self knowledge
provide visibility for women in the sciences and to support women to achieve visibility in the sciences
ACTIVITIES
We have regular branch meetings in various regions where members
talk about their work
hear from other science women
discuss relevant political issues
develop social and life skills
meet socially
The secret to active branch membership appears to be the provision of strong social interaction rather than a regular ‘seminar series’. Outings to science museums, interesting research field sites and high profile speakers prepared to discuss controversial science generally encourage a high level of attendance.
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| Conference delegates learning about
the Waitomo Caves System, Hamilton, July 2005. Photo: Debra Stokes |
AWIS is frequently asked to prepare submissions on issues relating to women and science. We have contributed to the Science and Technology Advisory Committee's review of science administration, Resource Management Law Reform and legislation on Employment Equity. Our members are also involved in talking to secondary and tertiary students and to community groups.
AWIS initiated and organised five extremely successful Women in Science conferences held in Wellington in 1993 and 1996, Dunedin in 1999, Auckland in 2002 and Hamilton in 2005. The next conference is scheduled for Christchurch in 2008.
NEWSLETTER
Profiles of New Zealand women in science are a central focus of our newsletter - the pathways they took to a range of diverse and fascinating careers, issues/advice they might like to offer, and comments about balancing work and other parts of their lives such as family and outside interests.
In addition to research scientists, we profile women involved in a broad range of science-related jobs such as science writing and editing, patent attorney, school teaching, and science policy. We also include articles on professional skills such as giving presentations and applying for jobs, and life skills such as combining career and motherhood.
Conference and travel reports are often submitted by members. We highlight women receiving honours, awards and grants, report on activities of the AWIS National Executive and local branches, give notice of meetings, provide information on current issues and include summaries of submissions we have written. We often reprint interesting articles relating to women in science.
Over the 20 years of its existence,
NZ AWIS has been very successful at bringing together women with an interest in
science, and giving us a chance to find support and talk about our science in a
supportive environment. The great benefit of belonging to our organisation is
that it allows us to bring our own style of networking into our professional
lives in science, a field to which women have only recently gained full access.
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