DATE: Tue, 1 Sep 2009 17:33:30 +1000
SUBJECT: workshop: Women in science: why waste productivity, diversity and innovation?

 From FASTS:

Women in science: why waste productivity, diversity and innovation?

On Thursday morning, 17th of September at Parliament House Canberra,  
the Chief Scientist and FASTS are hosting a breakfast and workshop to  
discuss issues raised in a new report on women in science commissioned  
by FASTS in association with the Office of the Chief Scientist for  
Australia.

There are 15 spots available for FASTS members.

FASTS are concerned with long term issues around women’s participation  
in science and technology, increasing concern at the level of the  
Federal Government about falling levels of participation in science  
subjects in the senior years of high school and the flow on effects of  
this for universities and industry, and growing awareness of the  
looming personnel shortages facing the academic and research sectors.

There are already skills and labour shortages in some key technical  
and scientific areas and these are forecast to worsen. The Federal  
Government recognises that the adequate supply and retention of  
appropriately trained scientists, engineers and related professionals  
is an essential ingredient in ensuring Australia’s economy remains  
internationally competitive.

This report, written by Professor Sharon Bell, focuses on two key  
concerns:
a)    That under-representation of women in the science and technology  
workforce represents a waste of human capital and
b)   Under-representation of women undermines national innovation  
potential because it constrains diversity of new ideas and perspectives.

In addition, the report includes comprehensive updated data on  
participation in science and technology.

The workshop will commence with a breakfast between 7.30am – 8.30am,  
when Professor Bell and Professor Penny Sackett (Chief Scientist for  
Australia) will discuss the findings of the report and outline  
international developments and results of previous initiatives.

 From 8.30am – noon, we will move into a workshop environment. The  
purpose of which is to bring together a range of leaders in  
Government, industry, education and research to test and refine  
proposed ideas; identify priorities; and to generate effective and  
viable implementation strategies. These will help shape the final  
report that we hope will be launched later in the year by one or two  
Ministers.

I emphasise that one of the premises is that under-representation of  
women is not just a ‘women’s issue’ but has far broader national  
implications for productivity and human capital. Accordingly, men,  
particularly men in leadership positions, are encouraged to attend.

Copies of the draft report and data will be provided prior to the  
workshop.

Workshop Details
Time and Date: 7.30am – noon, Thursday, 17 September, 2009 (Breakfast  
and morning tea provided)
Venue: House of Representatives Alcove, Parliament House, Canberra
RSVP: Friday, 11 September 2009 - Bradley.smith@fasts.org or 02 6257  
2891 or (0408) 511 261

As there are only limited spaces available they will be allocated on a  
first come basis.

If you have any enquiries about the forum please do not hesitate to  
contact me as per RSVP details.

Regards



Bradley Smith
Executive director
Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS)
PO Box 259
Canberra city, act 2601
ph: 02 6257 2891
fax: 02 6257 2897
mobile: 0408 511 261
bradley.smith@fasts.org
www.fasts.org