At the end of the twentieth century, women remain a minority in the scientific disciplines of science, engineering, and technology (SET). Women are unequally represented in science and their career progression is not comparable to their male colleagues. This prompts us to address this growing issue and ask. So why are there so few women in science? Lane of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U
K in the September 9th, 1999 issue of Nature Debates in her article "Why are there so few women in science?" states:
"Hard facts on the crucial stages of a woman's career in science are fragmentary, but mounting evidence and anecdotal reports tend to agree. Those remaining in science often face discrimination, being employed on a less secure footing and receiving lower grants than their male colleagues [10,21-25]. Meanwhile, women that leave science for alternative careers can fare little better [26]. Although there may be only a handful of studies, they increasingly lend weight to the suggestion that gender bias is still alive and well, and indeed kicking! A point well taken. So what can be done? Action can be taken at different levels; schools, universities and the work place. One such action is the RUWINS Program, a partnership between the W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and the Douglass Project for Rutgers Women in Math, Science, and Engineering, with funding provided by Johnson & Johnson Corporation a long-time supporter of equality, as exemplified in their credo: “We must encourage civic improvements and better health and education.”
Statistics can be found at the National Science Foundation (http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/stats.htm), the Association for Women In Science, AWIS (http://www.awis.org/statistics/r_statisticsmain.html). Today, RUWINS program is taking new strides to provide women with the skills necessary to succeed in advanced careers in the field of Neuroscience. Each year, RUWINS hosts once a month seminar (please see "Seminar Series") where students are provided the opportunity to meet outstanding female neuroscientists nationwide, hear about their current research ranging from neuroscience to stem cell research, and to network with advanced graduate and faculty mentors from different science departments at Rutgers University. Each year, RUWINS also hosts two program events, one in the fall semester and one in the spring semester, please subscribe to RUWINS listserv for detailed updates. RUWINS was founded by Dr. Wise Young and Dr. Patricia Morton in 1999 to encourage young female students interested in science/research and help them to find the resources they need to succeed.
