The International Foundation for Science (IFS) ‘Women in Science Public Contact’ list has been launched as part of commemorating this year’s ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’.
Less than 30% of the world´s researchers are women. In many countries this percentage is even lower. Women in science, role models for future generations, suffer from the lack of representation and visibility. In 2020, IFS created the IFS Women in Science Community – a space for our researchers that identify as women to come together, share their thoughts, discuss & network with each other.
And during the 2022 edition of the ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’ (that was marked on February 11), the IFS Women in Science Public Contact list – an initiative that was created with the IFS Women in Science Community – was launched.
IFS Women in Science
This contact list includes IFS Women in Science – researchers based in low and lower-middle income countries working on the sustainable management of biological, water, and energy resources and specializing in a wide range of research fields (Animal production, Aquatic and Water resources, Crop Science, Forestry/Agroforestry, Food Science, Natural Products, Social Science).
What initiative will facilitates
We hope that this initiative will facilitate the following processes:
- Promote visibility
Due to the gender imbalance in science, it is not rare to have speaking events that are dominated either partially or fully by men. IFS believes we can all do better. Excellence is out there. Organisers of these events should be mindful of how they select their speakers and widen their search.
- Create connections
Our grantees consistently express how they value networking opportunities. IFS recognises the benefits a wide scientific network can bring. Expanding scientific networks by reaching out to others creates opportunities for researchers to draw on the skills of their colleagues when needed and can potentially lead to future collaborations later in their career.
- Foster Peer-to-Peer Mentorship
Mentorship can take on many forms. This initiative aims to encourage flash mentoring between peers – other early career researchers, whether they are IFS grantees or not. In contrast to traditional mentoring, which is often a long-term structured relationship, flash mentoring is a short-term interaction that can be sought after on an as-needed basis. We asked those interested in mentoring to stay mindful of maintaining confidentiality and objectivity, as well as being conscious of their own levels of experience.
This contact list is a working document that is expected to grow as time goes on and more women are supported by IFS grants. We hope this contact list will open opportunities for our grantees and other early-career researchers and contribute to building a diverse scientific community. Please share it far and wide.
Link for the IFS Women in Science Public Contact List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YOQp8eduxkApPXKeivom1UT8Ge40R1MXoquaHv0EuRc/edit?usp=sharing
This report was culled from IFS.
