November
2007
NCAR launches Women in Science committee
Beth Holland. |
A new committee dedicated to issues that affect women at
NCAR across job categories is currently soliciting members.
Its founders expect to have the initiative, called the Standing
Committee on Women in Science (SCWS), up and running by January
1.
A group of female senior scientists came up with the idea
of forming the committee about a year and a half ago. Many
of them had been active in issues of women in science for
years, both at UCAR/NCAR and within the broader science community.
After a series of preliminary meetings, they submitted a
proposal to NCAR director Tim Killeen.
“Women scientists at NCAR have a long history of working
together,” says senior scientist Beth Holland (ESSL/ACD),
who will serve as the committee’s first chair. “The
first women senior scientists were strong advocates of women’s
issues since they came on board, and as more of us have accumulated,
we’ve had an ebb and flow of activities over the years
to make the organization’s science and culture more
woman-friendly.”
Beth emphasizes that the phrase “women in science” has
a broad meaning for the new committee, encompassing female
scientific and non-scientific staff and visitors who contribute
to or support science at UCAR/NCAR/UOP. This includes technical
and administrative staff.
“The realization of human potential translates into
realization of the institution’s scientific potential,” Beth
says.
The committee, which is intended as an inclusive, collaborative
effort, is open to both genders. Its mission is to identify,
clarify, advise, and make recommendations to the organization
regarding attitudes and issues that affect female staff and
the overall health and effectiveness of the organization.
It will help maintain and encourage a culture of respect
for individual differences and a climate that promotes inclusion
and equal opportunities for everyone.
Once its members have been chosen, SCWS’s first task
will be to review the organization’s mission statement
and then craft its own mission statement. Examples of some
activities that fall under its purview include
• reviewing policies and procedures that affect job
applicants to ensure that UCAR/NCAR draws and promotes talent
and ideas from all segments of the population;
-
promoting equal opportunity for all job applicants
and staff;
-
considering the dual challenges that may impact
female staff who are also members of a racial minority;
-
assessing the role of women in the organization’s
decision-making structure; and
-
encouraging respect for individual differences
and bringing issues of particular concern to women
to the attention of the NCAR Directorate and the
organization as a whole.
Any staff interested in joining SCWS should send an e-mail
message to Beth Holland (eholland@ucar.edu) and Carol Park
(park@ucar.edu) by December 10. Applicants should state why
they want to be involved and share any personal anecdotes
that inspire them to want leadership roles in the committee’s
formation. The letters and information will remain confidential.
In this issue...
IPCC
contributors share in Nobel Peace Prize
Remembering
John Firor and Janet Roberts
Sunrise
test flight successful
Same
library, new home
A
firsthand look at disappearing sea ice
NCAR
launches Women in Science committee
Fantastic
forum
Staff
win awards for science, multicultural service
Just One Look
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