Astronomy

AASWomen for August 27, 2010

AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of August 27, 2010
eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson & Michele Montgomery

This week's issues:

1. National Academies Report on Gender Differences

2. MIT Opens Discussions on Endorsements of the Pasadena Recommendations

3. Balancing Work-Life

4. SETI Gurls

5. Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars

6. NASAs Summer of Innovation Project

7. AAAS Awards and Prizes

8. National Research Council of the National Academies

9. Postdoctoral Fellowships at Swinburne University

10. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

11. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN

1. National Academies Report on Gender Differences
From: WIPHYS, Aug 24, 2010

The Committee on Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine of the National Academies has completed the report Gender Differences at Critical Transitions in the Careers of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Faculty. The summary and full report can be accessed online for free at

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12062.

2. MIT Opens Discussions on Endorsements of the Pasadena Recommendations
From: Edmund Bertschinger [edbert_at_MIT.EDU]

The Pasadena Recommendations have a new endorsement that sets an example for institutions supporting gender equity which may have concerns about implementation details. The MIT Physics Department has signed on at

http://www.aas.org/cswa/pasadena_endorse.html

There they also present discussion of those Recommendations which raised concerns about interpretation. Other academic institutions may have withheld their endorsement for similar reasons. MIT hopes that their example will encourage other departments to discuss the Pasadena Recommendations and to accept them in ways that advance an institutional commitment to gender equity. In particular, we encourage departments of physics and other STEM fields to examine and consider endorsing the Recommendations.

A qualified endorsement has several advantages. First, by pursuing this path one encourages discussion and wider acceptance of the importance of gender equity. Second, by examining where their institutional practices are challenged by the Pasadena Recommendations, departments may identify ways to improve their practices. At MIT we have found this to be true with all three recommendations where we have concerns. Third, by sharing concerns we teach each other best practices to help advance gender equity across the field. Finally, by taking concrete steps to promote gender equity and publicizing that fact, departments can gain competitive advantage in recruiting, promoting, and retaining talented individuals.

3. Balancing Work-Life
From: George Jacoby [jacoby_at_noao.edu]

Through a Facebook posting, I came across this article by Sarah Bridle on balancing work and life:

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2010_08_20/caredit.a1000082

Her original report can be found at:

http://www.sarahbridle.net/wlba09/WLBA09-Report_20091110.pdf

4. SETI Gurls
From: Edna DeVore [edevore_at_seti.org]

[Heidi B. Hammel [hbh_at_alum.mit.edu] pointed us to this fantastic women-in-science video on youtube. In response, the editors contacted Edna DeVore for more information about the video -- eds.]

SETI Gurls (SETI Institute Summer Students vs. Katy Perry 'California Gurls') was created by students in the 2010 Astrobiology Research Experience for Undergraduates at the SETI Institute. There were 19 students this summer from across the nation, and they worked and played for 10 weeks at both SETI Institute and NASA Ames Research Center with SETI Institute researchers. The REU program includes a week at the Hat Creek Radio Observatory (aka. Allen Telescope Array) and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Dr. Cynthia Phillips leads the program which is funded by the NSF, NASA's Astrobiology Institute, and NASA ROSES grants. Applications for summer 2011 open in late fall of 2010. Send us your students! More information?

http://www.seti.org/reu

Watch for Jill Tarter's cameo appearance in SETI Gurls:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb5QWXenpXo

5. Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars
From: Michele M. Montgomery [montgomery_at_physics.ucf.edu]

The book, "Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars" by award winner Mabel Armstrong, is the first in a planned series of "Discovering Women in Science." The book is intended for Young Adults.

The astronomers featured are: EnHuduanna, Hypatia of Alexandria, Sondok, Hildegard of Bingen, Caroline Herschel, Maria Mitchell, Williamina Steven Fleming, Annie Jump Cannon, Henrietta Swan Leavitt, Antonia Maury, Cecelia Payne Gaposchkin, Helen Sawyer Hogg, Margaret Burbidge, Nancy Roman, Vera Rubin, Beatrice Tinsley, Joyce Bell Burnell, Margaret Geller, Carolyn Shoemaker, Sally Ride, Jill Tartar, Wendy Freedman and the rising "stars" of today.

More information can be found at

http://www.beaglebay.com/categories_detail.html?cid=3

6. NASAs Summer of Innovation Project
From: WIPHYS Aug 24, 2010

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) seeks to identify potential partners for its Summer of Innovation project. The project engages the nation's middle school youth in intensive STEM experiences that will have an impact on their academic performance, choice of STEM coursework, degree programs and, eventually, career path. NASA is looking for partners to develop creative ways to help achieve one or more project goals and to increase the impact and visibility of the project.

For more information about the project and to view the announcement, visit

http://www.nasa.gov/soi

7. AAAS Awards and Prizes
From: WIPHYS, August 18, 2010

Entry deadlines are approaching for several prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) awards. The various AAAS awards and prizes recognize scientists, journalists, and public servants for significant contributions to science and to the public's understanding of science.

More info at

http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2010/0806awards_deadline.shtml

8. National Research Council of the National Academies
From: H. Ray Gamble [rap_at_nas.edu]

The National Research Council of the National Academies sponsors a number of awards for graduate, postdoctoral and senior researchers at federal laboratories and affiliated institutions. These awards include generous stipends ranging from $42,000 - $75,000 per year for recent Ph.D. recipients, and higher for additional experience and graduate entry level stipends beginning at $30,000 and higher for additional experience. The awards provide the opportunity for recipients to do independent research in some of the best-equipped and staffed laboratories in the U.S. Research opportunities are open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and for some of the laboratories, foreign nationals.

Detailed program information, including instructions on how to apply online and a list of participating laboratories, is available on the NRC Research Associateship Programs Web site at:

http://www.national-academies.org/rap

Questions should be directed to the NRC at 202-334-2760 (phone) or rap_at_nas.edu.

There are four review cycles annually. The remaining deadline for 2010 is November 1. Deadlines for 2011 are:
February 1
May 1
August 1
November 1

Applicants should contact prospective Advisers at the lab(s) prior to the application deadline to discuss their research interests and funding opportunities.

9. Postdoctoral Fellowships at Swinburne University
From: Sarah Maddison [smaddison_at_swin.edu.au]

The Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia, is inviting applications for two Super Science Fellowships funded by the Australian Research Council. Super Science Fellows receive an attractive package: the appointment is for fixed term for three years at a Lecturer equivalent position (Level B1). The salary is AUD 72,500 p.a. plus 17% superannuation (pension), and the Fellow also receives a AUD 20,000 per year research expenses allowance. The funding rules stipulate that the applicants must usually be within three years of their PhD at the time of their appointment and must take up the appointment between July and December 2011.

The appointees will join an active research group in Australia's most rapidly growing astronomy department. The Centre has a state-of-the-art supercomputer available in house as well as access to innovative 3D visualization facilities. Melbourne, consistently rated as one of the most liveable cities in the world, is a cosmopolitan place with a mild climate and many cultural and sporting events. Mountains, ocean and wine growing regions are easily accessible. The Centre itself is located in the diverse inner city suburb of Hawthorn with very good public transport connections. For more details about the Centre, see

http://astronomy--dev.swin.edu.au

Position Titles: *Swinburne Super Science Fellowship in Galaxy Simulation* http://members.aas.org/JobReg/JobDetailPage.cfm?JobID=26631

*Swinburne Super Science Fellowship in Observational Galaxy Evolution* http://members.aas.org/JobReg/JobDetailPage.cfm?JobID=26630

Applications for both positions close 15 December 2010.

10. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

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11. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN

Past issues of AASWOMEN are available at

http://www.aas.org/cswa/AASWOMEN.html

Each annual summary includes an index of topics covered.

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Astronomy