mona nemer, phd, frsc professor of biochemistry vice president, research university of ottawa

VPR Office / Cabinet de la vice-rectrice à la recherche

Mona Nemer, PhD, FRSCProfessor of BiochemistryVice President, Research

University of OttawaApril 20, 2009

Increasing the visibility of women in science: Role Models, Mentoring and Awards


• Last ten years: Canadian academic scene marked by appointment of women scientists and engineers to high-level positions in research intensive universities

• Examples:o Indira Samarasekera (engineer): President of the University of Alberta

o Heather Munroe Blum (scientist): Principal, McGill University

• Recent appointment of women as first female dean of engineering schools/faculties: o Cristina Amon, University of Toronto;

o Elizabeth Cannon, University of Calgary;

o Tyseer Aboulnasr, University of British Columbia

• Suzanne Fortier (scientist): President of Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC): main national funding agency for academic S &E research


• While these are encouraging “success stories”, the access of women scientists and engineers to academic leadership positions is a recent trend, and its sustainability is problematic.

Among other, demographic gap due to hiring freezes of the 90’s presents challenges for mentorship and WISE presence on committees.

• Significant gains made by women in S&E fields in Canada since the 70’s mainly on the educational front (first at the undergraduate level, then at the master’s & doctoral level). But:

o Engineering: female undergraduate enrolment has declined consistently since 2002, both in absolute numbers and as a proportion of total enrolment (under 20%)

o Mathematics, Computer and Information Science: decline of women’s representation at the undergraduate and master’s level since 1992

Sustaining Success and avoiding complaisancy

VPR Office / Cabinet de la vice-rectrice à la rechercheSource: CAUT Almanach 2007J. Vassileva, Cameco NSERC Prairie Chair, 2008

VPR Office / Cabinet de la vice-rectrice à la rechercheSource: CAUT Almanach 2007


• 1989: Through NSERC, Canadian government creates national university-based chair for women in engineering:

• The Northern Telecom/NSERC Women in Engineering Chair: funded jointly by the federal gouvernment and by the private sector (Northern Telecom)

• Half of Chair’s mandate devoted to the development and implementation of strategies to increase women’s presence in S&E at all levels.

National Initiatives to Promote Women in S&T


• Northern Telecom/NSRC Chair heads two national Taskforces on Women in S&E (Canadian Committee on Women in Engineering, 1990-1992; Task Force on Women in S&E, 1995-1996) resulting in:

• Creation of 5 regional chairs for Women in S&E, funded jointly by NSERC and corporate sponsors,

The program has 2 key objectives:

o increase the participation of women in STEM and

o “provide role models for women active in and considering careers in these fields”

• Launching University Faculty Awards to support universities appointment of promising women researchers to tenure-track positions in S& E (controversial program because of reverse discrimination charges).


Through networking, outreach, research and mentoring activities, chairs have promoted further development of leadership amongst women in STEM, inside and outside of universities, at the local, regional, national and international level.


Sustaining Women’s advancement in Science

Need coordinated Local, National and International Initiatives


• Open House in Engineering for high school girls: Go Eng Girl!

• Encourage undergraduate females in S&E to experience research: WISE summer scholarships

• Enhance the visibility of female researchers/profs on all university commitees and in all communications

• Revive the uOttawa chapter of WISE

• Regular seminar series with leading female speakers, followed by opportunities for networking and informal exchange

• Establish a mentorship program and award and promote mentorship at all levels

• Remind University Leaders regularly of the importance of gender balance and representations

• Launch ad campaign in public media celebrating women achievments in research and academic leadership

Advancing Women in Science & Engineering: Some uOttawa Initiatives


Problem: representation of women at CRC far lower than their representation on faculty bodies.

Initiatives to correct problem:

1- Convene national conference of all canadian university research vice presidents focused on women advancement in universities

2- Require each university to provide gender targets and a plan for achieving it. Plans posted on web.

3- Require broad advertisement of each Chair to be filled

4- Enhance the visibility of female researchers in all communications

Advancing Women in Science & EngineeringGranting Council Initiatives:Canada Research Chairs, a highly visible Program


• Enhancing participation of Women in S&E at all levels is one of RSCs stated priorities

• Dedicated Funds to support National and International Programs

• National Initiatives Opening access to RSC symposia to senior high school

and university undergraduate students

Establishment of Regional Offices charged with outreach

activities vs public, high schools and universities

National WISE Fellowships: opportunities for RSC fellow

to travel to another region and deliver talks

at local universities and high schools

Mentoring Program: Pairing female university student-RSC Fellow

Advancing Women in Science & Engineering: The Royal Society of Canada Initiatives


• Example of International Programs:

Advancing Women in Science &Engineering: The Royal Society of Canada Initiatives

RSC-NSERC visiting fellowships for WISE, a bilateral exchange program with other academies ( UK, Japan, France)

Helping junior scientists/professors access international networks while providing inspiring role models to young trainees, may be one of the most effective mechanism to advance women in SET.

Such programs could be funded thru public-private partnerships both nationally and internationally


Advancing Women in Science & Engineering

Role Models Matter Mentorship Crucial Networks Essentials

CONCLUSION

mona nemer, phd, frsc professor of biochemistry vice president, research university of ottawa

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