AASWomen for May 22, 2009

AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of May 22, 2009
eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson & Michele Montgomery

This week's issues:

1. Women (and Other Minorities) in Science and Engineering: A Personal Perspective

2. New Study Ponders the Effect of Professors' Gender on Students' Success in Science

3. Negotiating the Ideal Faculty Position - Workshop

4. Sue V. Rosser to be Provost at SFSU

5. Astronomer in the Classroom

6. Astronomy Blogger for July

7. Meet the Scientist

8. Short Survey: Leaving One Job for Another

*** FOLLOWING POSITIONS TAKEN FROM WIPHYS ***

9. Gus Weiss Professorship in Theoretical Physics, George Washington

University

10. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

11. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN

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1. Women (and Other Minorities) in Science and Engineering: A Personal Perspective
From: Andrea Dupree [adupree_at_cfa.harvard.edu]

Professor Kathryn Johnston of Columbia University gave a special seminar at CfA on Tuesday, May 12, 2009: Women (and Other Minorities) in Science and Engineering: A Personal Perspective. According to Johnston: This seminar consists of a set of slides summarizing what I have learned (through committee work and attending talks) about the social and psychological science literature that might be relevant to understanding the slow progress of women in science. My intention is not to give a thorough review (my field is Local Group Science) but rather to use the slides as a starting point for discussion.

The slides are available here:

http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/cfawis/kathryn_johnston.pdf

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2. New Study Ponders the Effect of Professors' Gender on Students' Success in Science
From: WIPHYS May 19, 2009

Female students -- or, more specifically, female Air Force cadets -- are more likely to succeed in introductory-level science courses if those courses are taught by female professors, according to a study by a trio of economists. The researchers examined the academic records of every student who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy from 2000 to 2008 -- more than 9,000 students in all. They found that women, and especially those with high mathematics-SAT scores, performed significantly better in introductory science courses if women taught the courses.

http://chronicle.com/news/article/6492/new-study-ponders-professors-gender-and-students-success-in-science

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3. Negotiating the Ideal Faculty Position - Workshop
From: Maryam Modjaz [mmodjaz_at_astro.berkeley.edu]

A recent study of diversity in engineering notes that “the most accurate predictor of subsequent success for female undergraduates is the percentage of women among faculty members at their college” (Trowers and Chait; Harvard Magazine, 104:33, 2002). At Rice University we are strongly committed to increasing the diversity of science and engineering faculty and students. As part of this goal we are sponsoring an exciting workshop for senior women graduate students and post-docs who are interested in pursuing an academic career. The workshop, Negotiating the Ideal Faculty Position, (October 18-19, 2009), is designed to provide participants hands-on experience to enhance their knowledge of and ability to find the right faculty position. Through support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award, all travel, meals, and lodging costs will be provided for workshop participants. Applications are due August 13. The online application can be found at

http://advance.rice.edu/negotiatingtheidealfacultyposition/form_intro.cfm

Topics Covered in Negotiating the Ideal Faculty Position Workshop 1. Finding the right institutional fit 2. Understanding what a search committee looking for 3. Putting together a successful faculty application 4. Standing out in the interview 5. Maximizing the impact of your interview seminar 6. Negotiating a good start up package 7. Finding out about the culture of the department & college 8. Choosing good collaborators 9. Obtaining funding 10. Building your lab/research program 11. Understanding the tenure process 12. Balancing work and family

Please pass this information on to qualified female candidates who are interested in an academic career.

Thank you, Jan Rinehart Executive Director NSF ADVANCE Program

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4. Sue V. Rosser to be Provost at SFSU
From: WIPHYS May 19, 2009

> From the Chronicle of Higher Education: "A New Provost Promotes > Diversity and Women in the Sciences". Sue V. Rosser, who will > become provost of San Francisco State University on August 15, has > built a career around her passion for women's issues, in particular > the participation of women in science.

http://chronicle.com/temp/email2.php?id=BkcMhrrgWgtyWvhbrkdygkRpzbtVKhrc

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5. Astronomer in the Classroom
From: Andrea Schweitzer [schweitz_at_frii.com]

The Astronomer in the Classroom program needs your help; please take a look at the website and sign up to help our youth learn more about astronomy and all the different fields of research.

www.astronomerintheclassroom.org

For more information, please contact:

Anita Ingrao Interstellar Studios 11 Ilahee Lane Chico, California 95973 (530) 343 5635 anita_at_interstellarstudios.com

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6. Astronomy Blogger for July
From: Andrea Schweitzer [schweitz_at_frii.com]

We are building a grassroots collaborative Web site, the Year of Science 2009:

http://www.yearofscience2009.org

where we highlight -- according to 12 scientific themes -- who scientists are, why science matters, and how science works. Each months' content begins with a series of blog postings from a great science communicator talking about the importance of the theme to our society and lives. Thus far, our guest bloggers have included individuals like Carl Zimmer of Discover Magazine and Steve Mirsky of Scientific American.

The July blogger would focus on the theme "Why We are Celebrating Astronomy". The sum request for participation is to write a series of blog posts (at least one per week) during the month of July with a minimum length of 400-500 words per posting. The first posting would be due June 27th. The target audience is the general public, and the site is being promoted through schools, libraries, participating organizations, science bloggers, and public broadcast orgs.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Sheri Potter COPUS Network Project Manager 941-923-6320 c. 941-321-1573 spotter_at_aibs.org

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7. Meet the Scientist
From: Andrea Schweitzer [schweitz_at_frii.com]

We are currently seeking to identify four scientists that will be featured on our Meet the Scientist page in August. See our January highlighted scientists here for an example:

http://www.yearofscience2009.org/themes_process_nature/meet-scientists/

The types of individuals we are looking for would be: - active scientists - represent diversity of fields of study with respect to the months theme -- energy - represent diversity of personality, background, and culture

The commitment to serve as a meet the scientist is a small one -- requiring about a half hour of time now and another half hour the third week of the month.

If you would please take a moment to consider who might be a good candidate for this activity and share your recommendations with us, we would be very appreciative! We would like to confirm all four scientists this week.

For more information, please contact:

Sheri Potter COPUS Network Project Manager 941-923-6320 c. 941-321-1573 spotter_at_aibs.org

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8. Short Survey: Leaving One Job for Another
From: WIPHYS May 20, 2009

I'm writing to ask you if you would be willing to participate in a study that I am conducting at Rice University.

It is important research and is attempting to understand the experiences and decision-making processes that occur when talented faculty voluntarily decide to leave their academic institutions and go elsewhere (e.g., either another academic institution or a nonacademic alternative).

If you have EVER been employed at one university/college and voluntarily left this one for another academic (or nonacademic) job (not just those who left for another job, those who left and stopped working should be included as well), you are eligible to take part. In taking part in the survey, you should consider the most recent academic job you left and why you decided to leave that institution. We are NOT interested in the experiences of those who retired or reached the end of a predetermined contract.

The survey takes 15-20 minutes to complete and is located at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=AZLp0HbOdJSY97nrZ6pePA_3d_3d

The survey has been approved by Rice University's Institutional Review Board.

Thank you so much for possibly being willing to help our team of researchers.

Jan Rinehart, Executive Director Advance Program PO Box 1892-MS 105 Rice University Houston, Texas 77251-1892 713-348-3345 jan.rinehart_at_rice.edu

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9. Gus Weiss Professorship in Theoretical Physics, George Washington
University
From: WIPHYS May 19, 2009

The George Washington (GW) University Department of Physics seeks outstanding candidates for its newly created endowed professorship in energy research, the Gus Weiss Professorship in Theoretical Physics. Energy is among the research focus areas that GW has identified and the University has invested significantly in the establishment of a new interdisciplinary institute for energy research. The Gus Weiss Professor is a founding member of the institute and will play a central role in the realization of its scientific vision and in the planning of its growth through future hires.

The institute is one of a cluster of interrelated centers and institutes for advanced study at GW's Research and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia, about 45 minutes from Washington, DC. The research programs at this campus support and interact with those at GW's main campus in Foggy Bottom. Within the institute, the Weiss Professorship is envisioned as the leader of the effort to link theoretical research from physics to help solve the energy and environmental problems facing the nation and the world in the coming century.

The overarching charge for the Gus Weiss Professor is to help develop the goals and future activity of an important institute defining a subject with great relevance and consequence to society. GW seeks an innovative, highly collaborative, and successful theoretical physicist whose interests focus on solving problems related to energy, for example the production, storage, and delivery of energy.

To apply: GW has retained Isaacson, Miller to assist in the search. Please send an electronic version of your Curriculum Vitae and cover letter, addressed to Dr. Barry Berman, Chair, Department of Physics, to pjaeger_at_imsearch.com . For any questions or to discuss the position, please contact Philip Jaeger, Managing Associate at Isaacson, Miller or Michael Baer, Vice President and Director. 202-216-2276.

The George Washington University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is strongly committed to diversity; women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.

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10. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

To submit to AASWOMEN: send email to aaswomen_at_aas.org. All material sent to that address will be posted unless you tell us otherwise (including your email address).

To subscribe or unsubscribe to AASWOMEN go to

http://lists.aas.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aaswlist

and fill out the form.

If you experience any problems, please email itdept_at_aas.org

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11. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN

Past issues of AASWOMEN are available at

http://www.aas.org/cswa/AASWOMEN.html

Each annual summary includes an index of topics covered.

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