Reducing the gender imbalance
Three prominent female scientists from Monash will make presentations at a Parliamentary Friends of Women in Science, Maths and Engineering forum.
A Monash researcher will highlight the enduring disparity between the numbers of men and women working and studying in the physical sciences, computing and challenging mathematics subjects at a public lecture.
Professor Helen Forgasz from the Faculty of Education will explore the latest research into why women remain the minority in the nationally critical fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the first Faculty of Education Dean’s Lecture for 2013 next week.
Despite various targeted interventions and initiatives over the years, Professor Forgasz said women were still in the minority.
“There is wide recognition of the importance of STEM for Australia’s economic future and capacity to innovate, and concern about the potential to produce sufficient appropriately qualified people,” Professor Forgasz said.
“While gender divides in school and tertiary enrolments and associated career paths remain, perceptions still exist that there are no longer obstacles in the paths of women to enter and succeed in these fields."
Professor Forgasz said, there was evidence that women are still considered less capable or suitable to intrude into these male-dominated fields.
“Contemporary research findings highlight the need to keep gender on the STEM agenda to reduce the gender imbalance,” Professor Forgasz said.
Dean of the Faculty of Education Professor John Loughran said the aim of the lecture series was to link the broader community with thought leaders and internationally renowned experts from the faculty.
“Each lecture will discuss and debate key issues currently facing the education community,” Professor Loughran said.
Professor Helen Forgasz will present Negotiating gendered pathways at the first Faculty of Education Dean’s lecture for 2013 on Wednesday 12 June at The Learning Space (TLS), Room 164, Building 6, Monash University Clayton campus starting at 6pm.
The Faculty of Education Dean’s lecture series is a free event and open to the public, however registration is required.
Other lectures in the 2013 Faculty of Education Dean’s Lecture Series are:-
Tuesday 23 July 2013: Associate Professor Lucas Walsh - The Big Four: the impact of population, politics, technology and the environment on young people in education.
Tuesday 24 September: Associate Professor Debra Panizzon - Addressing the challenges of rural teachers and students in science education.
Tuesday 15 October: Inaugural lecture by Professor Neil Selwyn - Degrees of digitisation technology and the contemporary university.
Tuesday 26 November: Associate Professor Alan Reid - Education, Environment and Sustainability?