WISENet From the Beginning
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Caroline Scowcroft
Caroline
introduced her talk by explaining the importance of identity. The changes in
name that came with marriage led to a loss of her identity as Caroline Polak and
she is better known by her first married name, Caroline Gill. This is evident
throughout the WISENet literature and the way she is remembered by previous
members. She described further changes that develop as relationships evolve and
stressed the importance of maintaining a sense of self.
Caroline thanked many people associated with WISENet and paid particular tribute to those close to her who had recently died: Jill Bowling, Aussie activist who died in a helicopter accident in Nepal while working for WWF; Diana Temple, a strength in supporting women in science, as a mentor, a pusher of the status quo boundaries, and a real contributor to science communication and ANZAAS in the early days; Betty Polak, her mother. She also acknowledged all of our mothers and daughters - what would we do without them?
Caroline talked about the purple and green becoming WISENet colours and she reviewed the first aims and objectives:
–– To increase women’s participation at all levels in the sciences where they are now under-represented;
–– to examine the education and employment structures which currently restrict women’s opportunities in the sciences;
–– to gather and disseminate data on women in science, the sciences here including the physical, social and life sciences, mathematics, computing, medicine, engineering, and associated technologies;
–– to explore linkages between the different disciplines and promote communication between scientists and the community on social and environmental issues;
–– to examine the relationship between scientific research and technology and promote research and technologies more appropriate for world needs;
–– to explore programs for change in the sciences and support more democratic and participatory systems as an alternative to the male-dominated tradition;
–– to build an active network of people interested in these issues and to liaise with other interested groups
–– to support appropriate action to achieve these objectives.
and used excerpts from the first journalto look at WISENet from the beginning.
From the Editorial: ‘As 1984 recedes it is clear that in the critical years ahead the contributions scientists can make to the world welfare will be significant. It is apparent, too, that in all countries big brothers are still firmly in control of the scientific-industrial-military complex. Women have not yet gained access to a full range of opportunities in education, employment and management. Australia’s record in this respect is no better than that of many third world nations’.
From Margarita Bowen: ‘The Women in Science Enquiry Network (WISENET) has been formed to bring together people who have a common concern: to give women a fairer share in the responsibilities and benefits of scientific and technological change; and to help direct such change in more beneficial ways. The network has expanded rapidly since its formation at the 1984 ANZAAS Congress in Canberra, when the proposal grew spontaneously out of the successful Women’s Studies section. A suggestion to form a network was circulated in one of the sessions and it brought an immediate response, with several pages of names returned. (The last page unfortunately was mislaid and we are still keen to contact all those who expressed interest.)
From the outset it was agreed that membership would not be limited to women in the sciences but would be open to women and men who have an interest or involvement in any aspect of science and who hold a commitment to shared objectives. From the beginning, also, WISENet was seen as a participatory rather than a hierarchical organization.
WISENet was established to explore and open up the chances for women in science. Australia is changing and WISENet is part of that change.
Caroline added reminiscences from Margaret Hartley who could not attend. Margaret remembered the Journal – as being national in approach, documenting the thinking in WISENet, reflecting the loose and highly democratic structure. Margaret gave recognition to strong supporters: Barry Jones for his assistance in incorporation and ensuring a tax exempt status for WISENet; the Office of the Status of Women for paying for administrative support for a year and for a grant for the Science Futures Project; FASTS for cheaper association fees when we were broke! She remembered the meetings as being demanding and exhausting, but also fun, exhilarating and memorable.
Conclusion: it is important to keep up ‘WISENetting’ - keep up the linkages to ensure that the net is there and no-one falls through.
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Frances Michaelis
Frances
also spoke of WISENet’s original objectives and expressed disappointment that
there was still not a genderless science. She asked why we were still having
reports commissioned into ‘women in science’ and questioned whether we would
have had the Global Financial Crisis if women had been in charge. Commenting
further, she asked why women were so visible in some places (‘token women’ in
key Government, Academy and political positions), yet invisible in others (no
women on a number of taxpayer funded scientific advisory committees, Boards and
Councils). Have we solved the gender problem? Or is there just smugness now, a
sense of having convinced women, especially younger women, that the problems are
solved, despite the persistent lack of women in influential positions. In
conclusion: women scientists should work together through WISENet to continue
the progress of the past 25 years. v
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Bio: Dr Frances B Michaelis (BSc (Hons I), PhD) is an International Associate of the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, Townsville. Her present position is Editor, UN Atlas of the Oceans http://www.oceansatlas.org/id/26529. She previously spent over 15 years with the Australian Government, as the Assistant Director, Sustainable Fisheries, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia and the Environment Adviser to the Australian Parliament. Frances has been a member of the International Whaling Scientific Committee and is a member of the Education Committee of the Society for Marine Mammalogy.