Video is now available from the L’Oreal USA/Discover Magazine Congressional briefing I moderated in September. I’ve posted part 1 of 4 below and you can watch the entire event here.
Participants:
Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Pr. Joan Steitz, Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University
Pr. Sara Seager, Ellen Swallow Richards, Professor of Planetary Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sheril Kirshenbaum, Research Associate at University of Texas at Austin’s Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy, Author, and Blogger for Discovermagazine.com (Moderator)
..reads the title of a terrific post by Jamie Vernon–one of the few men who attended the packed event I moderated last week on Capitol Hill about Advancing Women in Science sponsored by L’Oreal and Discover Magazine. Jamie did an excellent job summarizing many of the key points discussed and adds his own perspective as well. Here’s an excerpt:
As the women panelists discussed the topics on the agenda, I began to realize that the success of women in science is not just a women’s issue. It’s an American issue. It became apparent that America is surely missing out on some significant scientific minds. These minds and their potential contributions to the world of science belong to women who have been driven out of science simply because they wish to fulfill the duty that only women can fulfill: motherhood. Seemingly, the most significant distinction between women and men is woman’s ability to bring life into this world. And, unfortunately, the demands of that job can be just too much for today’s scientific lifestyle. So, for the sake of humanity, many women are forced to make the choice to leave the field of science. And when you consider the women sitting on this panel; Pr. Sara Seager, Ellen Swallow Richards, Professor of Planetary Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pr. Joan Steitz, Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS), Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, it quickly becomes evident that when a woman chooses to leave the field of science, she takes with her all the potential for solving scientific problems that make her such an asset to the profession. It is not simply an issue of losing brain power. It is also a problem of losing diversity within the problem-solving community. Dr. Steitz emphasized that women bring diverse points of view to science. Not retaining that diversity diminishes our potential for curing diseases, developing new technologies and ending global climate change.
Among the statistics presented by Russlynn Ali that demonstrated a pattern of female attrition from science was the clear message that women just don’t feel comfortable enough in our current scientific community. Not only, is this an issue of fairness, it is also an issue of global competitiveness. In a world in which China and India are creating many more scientists and engineers yearly than America, we will eventually fall behind. One way we can increase our ability to compete is to encourage women to participate in the sciences. Dr. Seager proposed the first solution to these problems, stating that this is not an issue of competency for girls, but confidence. Young girls are capable of learning science and thinking scientifically, but they are discouraged from pursuing science at the earliest ages. Something must be done to turn this around. This will require changes that invite women into the sciences. Dr. Seager’s solution is to develop mentorships that support young women as they make the decision to become scientists. It will require understanding and guidance to build within them the confidence they need to join with the boys.
It’s a long and thoughtful recap with a lot of important ideas taken further than we had time to explore last Thursday. I encourage everyone to go read Jamie’s full post…
So much to blog about and so little time. I have a great deal to say about the past few days at the Clinton Global Initiative, but must now take off for DC. I’m extremely excited about Thursday’s L’Oreal/Discover panel, yet leaving NYC is bittersweet… I have immensely enjoyed the time I’ve spent here and would love to stay through the final sessions.
CGI has been an extraordinarily inspiring experience. This meeting demonstrates that we are moving toward becoming a global community by fostering unique partnerships that continue to improve millions of peoples’ lives around the world. In troubled times, CGI gives me reason for hope. I’ll share more on that soon.
..is shaping up to be quite busy, fascinating, and a lot of fun.
On Monday I’ll fly to New York to attend the Clinton Global Initiative. Last night Bill Clinton visited The Daily Show to talk about politics, American skepticism, and suggest the least expensive and fastest way to improve the economy and decrease unemployment:
Next I’m headed to DC to moderate Thursday’s L’Oreal/Discover Capitol Hill panel on women in science. Here’s an excerpt from the press release:
Congressional briefing explores the issues and opportunities
“The contributions of female scientists are critical to U.S. advancements in science and economic growth,” said Frédéric Rozé, President and Chief Executive Officer of L’Oréal USA. “By convening this congressional briefing, L’Oréal USA hopes to renew national dialogue about breaking barriers and forging new paths for women in science.”
Panelists include:
Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Pr. Joan Steitz, Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University
Pr. Sara Seager, Ellen Swallow Richards Professor of Planetary Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sheril Kirshenbaum, Author of Unscientific America and Science Blogger for Discovermagazine.com (Moderator)
With travel, posting may be light at times, but I’ll be sharing details from both events here at The Intersection and via twitter (hashtag #CGI2010).
As I announced last week, I’ll be moderating a Congressional briefing co-organized by Discover Magazine and L’Oréal USA on Women in Science. Here’s a glimpse at the press release out today:
L’Oréal USA Convenes Congressional Briefing on Issues Affecting Women in Science
New Research Reveals Gender-Based Barriers Driving Female Scientists from the Field
Congressional briefing explores the issues and opportunities
The congressional briefing, For Women in Science: 21st Century Policy & Politics, sponsored by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, will be held on Sept. 23, 2010, in Washington, D.C. A panel of distinguished experts will explore whether state and federal public policy are promoting or hindering the advancement of female scientists; how the broader application of Title IX has influenced women pursuing science education and careers; and whether the emphasis on gender diversity in the workplace has become mainstream in scientific disciplines. The briefing will also consider the opportunities for government, the private sector and academia to address the barriers facing women in scientific disciplines.
“The contributions of female scientists are critical to U.S. advancements in science and economic growth,” said Frédéric Rozé, President and Chief Executive Officer of L’Oréal USA. “By convening this congressional briefing, L’Oréal USA hopes to renew national dialogue about breaking barriers and forging new paths for women in science.”
The congressional briefing will feature the following panelists:
Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Pr. Joan Steitz, Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University
Pr. Sara Seager, Ellen Swallow Richards Professor of Planetary Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sheril Kirshenbaum, Author of Unscientific America and Science Blogger for Discovermagazine.com (Moderator)
New research offers compelling insights
The panel will also address results from the newly-released survey of 1,300 female and male scientists, conducted by AAAS and commissioned by L’Oréal USA, on the barriers women encounter in pursuit of scientific careers. Survey respondents included male and female scientists who hold doctoral degrees and are registered users of Scienceonline, including members of AAAS. The national research revealed significant new insights on the extent to which barriers affect men and women differently and the best means to overcome these obstacles.
Female scientists face unique, gender-based barriers in career advancement
61 percent of female scientists who participated in the study have personally struggled balancing life and career
More than half of female respondents (52 percent) have experienced gender bias
More than one in three female scientists who participated in the survey (37 percent) faced barriers in having/raising children
Half of all female respondents (50 percent) cited challenges with child care support as a major barrier for individuals working in the science field
I’m delighted to announce a Congressional briefing I’ll be moderating in three weeks that’s been co-organized by Discover Magazine and L’Oréal USA on a topic I care deeply about: Women in Science
For Women in Science: 21st Century Policy & Politics will explore issues and opportunities for the advancement of women in science, as well as the public policies that work to address them. Our panel is sponsored by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) will take place Sept. 23 on Capitol Hill. Look at the speakers:
Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Pr. Joan Steitz, Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University
Pr. Sara Seager, Ellen Swallow Richards, Professor of Planetary Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sheril Kirshenbaum, Research Associate at University of Texas at Austin’s Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy, Author, and Blogger for Discovermagazine.com (Moderator)
We’ll discuss state and federal public policies that may be promoting or hindering the advancement of female scientists, Title IX and how it has influenced women pursuing science education and careers, and gender diversity in the workplace. We will also explore opportunities for government, the private sector and academia to address the barriers facing women in scientific disciplines.
You can bet I’ll have a lot more to say as the date approaches and will share further details soon. In the mean time, I encourage those interested in the DC area to mark your calendars for this timely event!
