Now Why Didn't I Think Of That?
Since I was surfing the web (oh ok I was avoiding writing a report), I thought I would check out on what was happening over at the American Physical Society's APS Committee on the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP) . And yes that is what I do for fun sometimes. Hey my first publication was in physics, on radioactive decay and no I am not going to write a book "Physics Doesn't Suck" although I think it is a great idea. Imitating the Dummies' series perhaps we should start a whole "[Insert name of field here] Doesn't Suck" series. Anyone want to check it out with Danica McKellar?
But I digress. What I really wanted to write about was Female Friendly Physics Graduate Programs. CSWP has been surveying colleges and universities about their female friendly policies, asking physics' department chairs to answer the following questions:
1. How many tenure-track or tenured faculty -- male/female?
2. How many graduate students ? -- male/female?
3. Is there a family leave policy for graduate students? If so, describe.
4. Is there family health insurance available for graduate students? Is it included in the stipend?
5. In a paragraph, please describe why someone applying to graduate school who is interested in a female-friendly department should choose your institution.
They have responses from 145 institutions! So check out your favorite, or your least favorite, institution.
Comments
That sounds like a really useful directory for prospective graduate students (male and female) - one more early screening tool when considering grad school. Would be nice to have it more than just physics. How about the other physical sciences and engineering?
Posted by: sciencewoman | August 28, 2007 09:54 PM
It sure would. Thanks to your inspiration ScienceWoman, I asked the Engineering Equity Extension services folks at the National Academy of Engineering if this is something they might be interested in doing.
Posted by: Pat | August 30, 2007 09:16 AM