Australia seeks to correct gender imbalance in science
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.028133
Sydney Morning Herald : To address the severe underrepresentation of women in science, the Australian Academy of Science has established the Science in Australia Gender Equity Forum . SAGE seeks to devise strategies to increase the number of women in scientific fields, especially at the senior level. One of its models is the UK’s Athena SWAN program, which requires participating research organizations to collect data on women’s progress, identify problems, and devise plans for improvement. The program presents gold, silver, and bronze awards to those universities and departments that show improvements in their employment practices. Because such improvements often involve creating more flexible working environments, supporting different models of success, and encouraging a better work–life balance, proponents claim the changes benefit everyone.
