Engaging the Political Process

In their report on Science Meets Parliament Sarah and Jenny provide us with a challenge. They conclude that:

“engaging with the political process can lead to change. This is surely one of the true privileges of living in a democratic society, and one that scientists could exercise a great deal more to improve the standing of science within the halls of power. In that sense, SmP should just be the beginning…..”

So if SmP is just the beginning then what comes next? What can we, as individual scientists, do to engage the political process and bring about the changes that are needed to improve the status of women (and men) in science?

On the following pages are some suggestions for action that we can take. I’d like to challenge every WISENET member to do AT LEAST one thing in the next 3 months to advance women in science.

Write a letter to your local MP, nominate a female colleague for an award or volunteer for a board or panel, contribute to the formulation of the WISENET position statement, organise a career development seminar for your local group, complete Lyn’s survey. WISENET is a decentralised organisation, why not contact your link group convenor and offer to organise a meeting. If there’s no convenor in your local area think about volunteering.

It doesn’t matter if your actions are on a large or small scale. What matters is that you take some action to create solutions for the challenges we face as women in science.

I hope you find the articles in this issue both inspiring and empowering.

Enjoy!
Diane

PS. The loose membership form in this issue is intended as a once off to make it easy for you to post on noticeboards or wave around at meetings to help spread the word about WISENET.