The principle of the network is simple. Female professors from Twente will organize nine lunches this year, each aimed at a different group of women scientists, such as senior lecturers, research assistants, professors or Post-docs. `During the lunches, there will be a lecture by a UT professor,' Wilderom explains. `Afterwards, we want to encourage discussion on working as a woman in science. Topics of discussion include: Do you work in a sufficiently stimulating environment? Are there prospects for the future? What are your ambitions and successes? Women professors will participate in the discussion. Where possible, we'll give advice.'
More important, according to Wilderom: `We strive toward measures that promote careers of female scientists. Measures such as increased financing for working abroad or special funds for editing papers. These cost relatively little money, but the benefits are high.'
Wilderom, also a member of the national network of female professors, would like to do something for female scientists. The UT no longer has a specific diversity policy, and the facilities for research assistants have been reduced significantly. `Right now, female professors from the national network try to help women with their careers at all Dutch universities. The Executive Board also supports that.' Together with fellow professors Marijk van de Wende (Cheps), Caren van Egten (VU Amsterdam), Huib de Jong (Executive Board) en Kas de Vries (Personnel Director) it was decided early this year to start these activities.'
The first two preliminary meetings - for female professors only - have taken place already. The next meeting, targeted at women senior lecturers, will be held on Wednesday, April 21 at the Faculty Club. Lieteke van Vucht-Tijssen, dean of the Faculty of Behavioral Sciences, will speak on the role and possibilities of this category of lecturers. Other lunches will be organized on Thursday, May 13 for university teachers, with Huib de Jong as speaker, and on Friday, June 11 for research assistants (AIOs), featuring UT professor Franciska de Jong. A meeting for female Post-docs and research assistants (MOZs) is planned on Monday, September 13, led by Professor Nelly Oudshoorn. On October 12 and November 10, all women scientists will be welcome. The final meeting and evaluation will take place on December 9, after which Wilderom and her fellow professors will report to the Executive Board. Then they will also discuss how they can continue this initiative.
Wilderom: `We're hoping to get many different women talking to each other, and to give them just the small push that many women in science need to escape the notorious discrimination against them.'
Trans. Jeroen Latour
