Professor Penny Sackett discusses Women in Science from an Australian perspective at the World Science Forum in Budapest, Hungary (5-7 November 2009).

• 27 November 2009

Abstract

In 1995 the Australian government commissioned a report on women in science, engineering and technology in Australia.  The report was groundbreaking for its time.  However, since then the progress of Australian women hoping to make careers in science, engineering or technology related fields has stalled.  The Office of the Chief Scientist in conjunction with the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) is looking at the place and progress of women in science in Australia.  A report Women in science: why waste productivity, diversity and innovation? has been initiated and funded by FASTS. Written by Professor Sharon Bell, it makes for sobering reading.

Although roughly equal numbers of men and women are attaining science degrees at university this is mainly in the “soft sciences”.  In the more gender segregated fields, such as IT and engineering, an increase in involvement by women of between only 1% and 3% has been observed over the period 1995 to the present.  That is, the statistics are “flatlining”. Furthermore the numbers of women being promoted to higher positions in academia or private enterprise diminishes the higher up they progress in these hierarchies.  Academic statistics also show that in Australian science faculties (as in most countries around the world) women are paid less, promoted more slowly, receive fewer honours and hold fewer leadership positions than men.

Promoting the position of women in science is important for more than just equity reasons.  Women now make up more than half the student population in the Australian higher education sector.  They also make up half of the labour force.  With an ageing academic workforce it is essential that we bring young researchers, both men and women into the field so they can continue the vital work our scientists and engineers do.

As Chief Scientist for Australia, I am helping develop and explore options for the government to consider in addressing this problem with the aim for women not only to survive in science, engineering and technology sectors but also to excel.  Women have the potential to bring new ideas and a different perspective to science.  If we don’t take advantage of this we are in fact wasting human capital and lowering our productivity at a time when we are in most need of it.

PRESENTATION SLIDES – Women in Science in Australia: Picking up the pace