— TOPIC 5 — Learning From Regional Differences

1. — TOPIC 5 —Learning From Regional Differences • Why are there more women in physics in some countries? • What can we learn from the regional differences? • How can we use this knowledge? - Learning from regional differences - -TOPIC 5 - Pia Thörngren

2. — Outline of the session — • PRESENTATION of survey • DISCUSSION……. • SUMMARY • Short break 30 min. • FOLLOW-UP • CONCLUSION • RESOLUTION(S) - Learning from regional differences - -TOPIC 5 - Pia Thörngren

3. Answers to survey Jan 02Estimates from individual team leadersU.Tengblad, P. Thörngren, K.Wiesner, compiled by K.Wiesner (preliminary) - Learning from regional differences - -TOPIC 5 - Pia Thörngren

4. Statistics from AIP-priv.com. Katie StoweUndergraduate women in physics 1993-2000 - Learning from regional differences - -TOPIC 5 - Pia Thörngren

5. Statistics from AIP -priv.com. KatieStowePhDs to women in physics 1993-2000 - Learning from regional differences - -TOPIC 5 - Pia Thörngren

6. Important Discussion Issues Similarities – Passion for physics! • Childrearing/Family responsibilities • Lack of job security, post post-doc positions • Scarcity and isolation of women physicists Differences – Resources • Available data on percentage on women in physics • Technical and economical situation for science • State social and family support • Quality of schools and girls’ education • Cultural expectations and public image of physicists - Learning from regional differences - -TOPIC 5 - Pia Thörngren

7. — RECOMMENDATIONS —Addressing the universities, physical societies • Collect in a consistent way physics demographic data including gender, in each country and at each level from students to professors (Turkey) • To assess policy changes and trends • Take care to define level, use hard and academic age and achievement as variables • Find drop-uts, find out reason for leaving physics, find remedy - Learning from regional differences - -TOPIC 5 - Pia Thörngren

8. — RECOMMENDATIONS —Addressing the universities, physical societies • Gathered data on physicists should include: • Degrees on all levels • Admitted students & type of precollege education • Positions held (all levels) and new recruitments • Salaries • Succes rate, publications and grants • Teaching and administrative duties • Office space and other • Both men and women - Learning from regional differences - -TOPIC 5 - Pia Thörngren

9. — RECOMMENDATIONS —Addressing universities, governments Lessons from regional differences: • Shorten the post post-doc era • Ensure transparent hiring process – Countries with positions available after PhD and open evaluation system have a larger percentage women physicists (e.g. Turkey) • Fellowships for returning to work – After family obligations fulfilled – UK • Use academic age – For evaluation both by employers and funding agencies – UK, USA - Learning from regional differences - -TOPIC 5 - Pia Thörngren

10. — RECOMMENDATIONS —Addressing ourselves • Open up – network! • Share educational resources internationally, revise curricula, textbooks • X-change programs – developing countries • Students, post-doc, sabbaticals • ’Web-bank’ for computers, equipment… • Women speakers program (USA) • List available on the web, travel support - Learning from regional differences - -TOPIC 5 - Pia Thörngren