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News from ICTP from the Efforts of Shobhana Narasimhan (JNCASR, Bangalore, India) and Elizabeth Simmons (Michigan State University, USA)

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News from ICTP from the Efforts of Shobhana Narasimhan (JNCASR, Bangalore, India) and Elizabeth Simmons (Michigan State University, USA) News from ICTP Beyond Bias: Women in Mathematical and Physical Sciences AUTUMN / WINTER 2013 / AUTUMN 136 2 Beyond Bias Women in Mathematical and Physical Sciences We have a hunger of the mind which asks for knowledge of all around us, and the more we gain, the more is our desire; the more we see, the more we are capable of seeing. Maria Mitchell (1818-1889), co-founder of the Amer- ican Association for the Advancement of Women and first woman to work as a professional astronomer. Taking Mitchell’s words to heart, ICTP offers you this newsletter issue of illuminating pieces on women in mathematical and physical sciences. Regardless of what country and culture they come from, these women share a hunger for knowledge and were kind enough to express how this hunger led them to pur- sue careers in physical or mathematical research, the scientific fields with the fewest women professionals. We were first inspired to dedicate this issue of News from ICTP from the efforts of Shobhana Narasimhan (JNCASR, Bangalore, India) and Elizabeth Simmons (Michigan State University, USA). They developed the idea for and organized the “Career Development Workshop for Women in Physics,” which ICTP hosted from 16 to 19 September (see story on page 4). The workshop addressed some of the obstacles wom- en in physics still battle today, despite the gradually growing number of professional women physicists around the world. The women in our newsletter pro- file articles—like Helen Quinn, Nana Shatashvili and Zohra Ben Lakhdar—reflect upon what some of these obstacles are and how to overcome them. We hope these stories inspire readers as much as the subjects inspired us. 3 Connect for Success ICTP hosts Career Development Workshop for Women in Physics hen physicists Shobhana Narasimhan The absence of a scientific-oriented culture coupled (JNCASR, Bangalore, India) and Elizabeth with the lack of funds and resources for science edu- W Simmons (Michigan State University, cation and research makes it difficult for any aspiring USA) felt compelled to help women in developing scientist in a developing country, but particularly countries overcome gender-bias barriers in science, for women. Even if a woman obtains her PhD, many they turned to ICTP because of its efforts to advance times she lacks mentors that can provide her with the science research in the developing world. From 16 to practical skills scientists need to succeed, such as cre- 19 September, the Centre was proud to host its first ating an informative CV, writing grant proposals for “Career Development Workshop for Women in Phys- research funding, and preparing and giving effective ics,” which Narasimhan and Simmons organized with presentations for networking. ICTP’s help. Therefore, Narasimhan and Simmons dedicated half The idea for the workshop arose when Narasimhan of the ICTP workshop to practical sessions where and Simmons attended last year’s annual Internation- participants learned and practiced the skills neces- al Conference for Women in Science and Technology. sary to succeed throughout their career. The other The conference took place in sub-Saharan Africa, half of the workshop involved inspirational talks from where many women in science struggle for equality such notable speakers as Sara Laschever, co-author of and career advancement. Together with southern and the book Women Don’t Ask, and Rachel Ivie, who has western Asia, sub-Saharan Africa is one of the few written numerous papers on women in physics for remaining regions in the world where men still com- the USA publication Physics Today, including “Wom- prise the majority in tertiary education. en in physics: A tale of limits” and “The global survey of physicists: A collaborative effort illuminates the During one of the presentations, a local female situation of women in physics.” scientist stood up amidst the crowd and spoke of her experience and frustration with discrimination. Her Speakers and panelists came from both developed employers had removed her from her position when and developing countries and addressed topics like she asked for maternity leave. This act of discrimina- unconscious bias and the role culture plays concern- tion shattered her faith in the local scientific commu- ing women’s fight for equality in their home coun- nity as well as discouraged her to continue with her tries’ scientific community. For example, many wom- research. en in sub-Saharan Africa marry before they reach the age of 20, which—with the expectations of raising “The moment was so moving because of the respons- children in a harsh environment—drastically limits es from the crowd,” Narasimhan recalls. “Other wom- their chances for career advancement. One speaker en spoke up and encouraged this lady to not give up from Johannesburg, South Africa addressed some of and to keep fighting. It was then that I realized how the additional challenges facing women in Africa. much help women scientists in developing countries need and that we should do something for them.” “I agreed to be a speaker at this workshop in order to gain experience in career development, broaden my Simmons adds that women in developing countries horizon and knowledge as well as share my view with are in particular need of career-building workshops regards to the social, religious, political and economic like the one at ICTP in mid-September. “These problems hindering the progress of women in physics women sometimes experience a complete sense in Africa. These include a lack of mentorship, poverty of isolation. Developed countries are now offering and social violence toward women, intimidation, and more workshops of this type, so we wanted to provide stereotype and superiority among men,” says Iyabo something to women who don’t necessarily have ac- Usman, who is a faculty member and experimental cess to these kinds of workshops,” she explains. nuclear physicist at the University of the Witwaters- 4 Rachel Ivie Shobhana Narasimhan rand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is also a mem- “Sometimes women who face discrimination may in- ber of the women’s support group Women in Physics ternalize the experience and think that they are being in South Africa (WiPiSA), which is sponsored through treated differently because they are not doing a good the South African Institute of Physics. enough job or have other self-incriminating thoughts, when in reality it’s because of their gender,” she says. Thirty-four male physicists greatly outnumber the four female physicists in Iyabo’s department. She says that Simmons adds, “We would also like the participants she hopes the workshop will give her “ways of coping to take the knowledge they gain from the work- within the male-dominated field by getting assistance shop back to their research institutions and inform through mentorship from established faculty mem- and teach their female colleagues about what they bers” who are participating in the workshop. learned.” Bringing women from all parts of the world together Over 250 women from more than 40 countries ap- will help build a network that women can then use for plied for the workshop, of which about 40 attended. advice, encouragement and support. When it comes Narasimhan wishes they could have included many to discrimination, it’s important to understand you’re more, but funding restrictions intervened. The num- not alone, Narasimhan says. Participants shared their ber of applications clearly indicates the need for this experiences and recognized similarities between theirs type of workshop, she says, and if she and Simmons and others’. Narasimhan hopes this will help women organize a similar workshop in the future she hopes learn to handle their own situations as well as under- to gather more funds in order to provide more oppor- stand discrimination when they come across it. tunities. 5 Overcoming the Odds ICTP Associate and physics professor Zohra Ben Lakhdar shares her thoughts on being a woman in a male-dominated field ohra Ben Lakhdar thrives on challenges. difficult subjects for men and therefore impossible for As one of the few women to enter in the women,” says Ben Lakhdar. Zmale-dominated arena of physics and math- ematics research in the 1960s, Ben Lakhdar had Ben Lakhdar went on to pursue higher studies in plenty of challenges thrown her way. Considered one France and earned her doctorate on atomic inter- of the prominent figures in physics in Tunisia today, actions using spectroscopy and spectral analysis. Ben Lakhdar started her scientific pursuits more An important life lesson Ben Lakhdar learned while than 30 years ago when most women in the tradi- completing her thesis work was how to prioritize. “My tional Tunisian society were confined to the roles of husband and I were both in the midst of our theses mothers and wives. work, and we decided to first complete our doctorates and then start a family. And I think it is important Ben Lakhdar was appointed as professor of physics that women in the workforce learn the importance of at Tunis El Manar University in Tunisia in 1978. She prioritizing.” later went on to direct the university’s Laboratory of Atomic-Molecular Spectroscopy and Applica- When Ben Lakhdar returned to Tunisia to accept a tions. In 2005, Ben Lakhdar was honoured with the professorship, she was among the few women with a L’Oréal-UNESCO award for Women in Science for faculty position. “Equal rights laws for women are a her experiments and models on infrared spectros- step in the right direction, but we also need to see a copy and its applications to pollution, detection and change in attitudes. That can start at home, with par- medicine. A staunch friend of ICTP and an Associate ents treating their sons and daughters equally,” says Member of the Centre since 2001, Ben Lakhdar says Ben Lakhdar, a mother of two daughters.
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