Editorial
|
|
|
Editing a second WISENet journal has been a sobering reminder of how busy we all
are. The growing creep between work and outside interests means that we all have
less and less time for “extra” projects, even though these are usually more
enjoyable than our growing lists of core work activities. As a consequence, I am
profoundly grateful to our many contributors for the time that they have so
generously dedicated to this journal.
The title of this issue, “In Full Bloom”, follows on from our previous issue
“Seeds of Change”. Both were inspired by beautiful images of Australian
wildflowers provided by WISENet members, and on this occasion by Deidre Tronson.
“Seeds of Change” highlighted the gaps in opportunities that can still be
identified for women in science, whereas “In Full Bloom” takes a more optimistic
view. After all, the last year has seen quite dramatic changes in the
representation of Australian women in the highest levels of political and
scientific office. Suddenly, we have women in the positions of Governor-General,
Deputy Prime Minister, Head of CSIRO, and Chief Scientist, whereas only 12
months ago, this would have been unimaginable. Hopefully this is the beginning
of a sea change in opportunities for Australian women, and this issue celebrates
this possibility, by focussing upon the activities of different gender equity
projects across Sydney.
I would like to thank Deidre Tronson, Shau-Chen Fang, Amelia Martyn and Gabi
O’Sullivan for their dedicated editorial work, Sue Henderson for her lay-out
work, and Kath Lamoureux for ideas and support. Deidre Tronson also sourced
articles behind the scenes, and contributed the journal title and images. I also
really appreciated Shau-Chen hosting a journal planning meeting in her home
earlier this year.
Wishing all readers a safe and happy holiday season, and good health and success
in 2009.
Jennifer Byrne
Sydney
November 2008