Panel: How Do Researchers Make It Work? Faculty’s Mo;va;ons, Strategies, Logis;cs, and Models of Collabora;on Mary Lynn Realff Georgia Tech Associate Professor, Engineering Co-­‐Director Center for the Study of Women, Science and Technology (WST) June 3, 2010 Women’s Interna-onal Research Engineering Summit (WIRES1) Purpose/Objec;ves/Goals •  Iden-fy barriers and facilitators for interna-onal research collabora-on and on issues of gender equity •  Provide a forum for forging sustainable research collabora-ons among female engineers •  Establish a clear, visible pathway for females to pursue interna-onal collabora-ons •  Communicate methods of securing funding for interna-onal collabora-ons •  Iden-fy common issues faced by females pursuing careers in engineering •  Focus on the global engineering research enterprise by enabling the par-cipants to develop a personal understanding of how engineering research is conducted in various countries around the world •  Expand the WIRES database of female faculty who are interested in conduc-ng interna-onal research Why are interna-onal research collabora-ons important? 1.  Promote excellence in research 2.  Allow sharing resources, methodologies, and recommended prac-ces 3.  Foster diversity of ideas, techniques, and methods 4.  Enable learning through collabora-ons as best partners set standards, goals, and establish accountability 5.  Align complementary competencies for greater produc-vity 6.  Enhance the quality of doctoral training WIRES,1 June 2009 WIRES1 Research Findings 1. For professionals in Europe and US, the three highest barriers to interna;onal research collabora;ons are obtaining funding, finding collaborators, and managing work commitments. 2. The lowest reported barriers among professionals in Europe and US are communica;on, family commitments, and concern about ;me involved in collabora;on. 3. US respondents perceive barriers differently for themselves compared to “other women in own ins;tu;ons.” Collabora;on Poster Tradi-onal poster sessions are designed to convey technical informa-on and if collabora-ons are ini-ated, it is a “plus.” Here we focus on iden-fying collaborators and technical informa-on is exchanged to enable the collabora-on. Collabora;on Poster Concise descrip-on of research program Area of research exper-se Type of partners who would be a good fit with research interests Results of a few research projects to provide an idea of research interests and contribu-ons Research facili-es that are available for research collabora-on Par;cipant Directory The WIRES par-cipant directory contained all of the female engineers who were interested in interna-onal research collabora-ons and is be available online at www.wires.gatech.edu. Proposal Development Ques-ons General topic of the proposal: ________________________________ Proposed Project Team: Name Exper-se Comment _________________ __________________ __________________ _________________ __________________ __________________ “G. H. Heilmeier's \Catechism" for evalua-ng a research project 1. What are you trying to do? (Ar-culate your objec-ves using absolutely no jargon.) 2. How is it done today and what are the limits of current prac-ce? 3. What is new in your approach and why do you think it will be successful? 4. Who cares? If it is successful, what difference will it make? 5. What are the risk and the payoffs? 6. How much will it cost? How long will it take? 7. What are the midterm and “final" exams to check for success? Time-­‐line Date June 2010 July 2010
Ac-on Who is responsible Three things that you can do at a conference to find collaborators: 1.  At conferences, approach the poster sessions differently 2.  Use the par-cipant list and take some pictures 3.  Use some sort of “form” to help guide your discussions with poten-al collaborators afer you have both agreed that there may be some common interest. ……… and FOLLOW UP with the your new collaborators to keep the momentum going! WIRES 1 to WIRES 2 Outcomes • Increased par-cipant’s understanding of how to engage in successful interna-onal research •  Average of 5 new collaborators per par-cipant •  Built network of women engineers •  Discussions at WIRES iden-fied •  Barriers, recommended prac-ces, policy recommenda-ons WIRES 2 Host University of Central Florida •  Further developed partnership with other funding agencies and industrial sponsors •  Proposals, collabora-ons and visits between par-cipants (afer WIRES) •  Research in progress •  surveys, conference evalua-on interview analysis, follow up survey •  Spawned other conferences/workshops • NSF, EU, DuBai, U of Michigan WIRES 2 Research Theme Interna;onal Partnerships: Engineering sustainable systems to deliver Energy Healthcare Water Policy Recommenda-ons Iden-fied at WIRES1 1.  Collect and disseminate policy success stories from around the world 2.  Set targets (40%) for female par-cipa-on on high level boards 3.  Develop clear criteria for promo-on to the next rank and to leadership posi-ons 4.  Obtain interna-onal benchmark data 5.  Engage decision makers who can enable policy changes 6.  Define “excellence” in a way that is equitable for both women and men 7.  Include women as decision makers on evalua-on commioees 8.  Develop ins-tu-onal Equity Plans that are embedded in the “rules” of the ins-tu-on 9.  Employ an equity advisor to assure clarity of evalua-on 10.  Train and evaluate leaders based on equity scorecard Recommended Prac-ces in Gender Equity Iden-fied at WIRES1 1.  Conduct required training of evalua-on commioees (such as promo-on and tenure, faculty searches), including bias awareness 2.  Organize interna-onal and regional faculty career development workshops 3.  Develop cross-­‐listed courses across universi-es in different countries 4.  Iden-fy pathways for connec-ng interna-onal research collabora-ons for faculty and students 5.  Disseminate findings on gender equity issues through publica-ons, workshops and training sessions 6.  Offer leadership opportuni-es and advance female faculty 7.  Require diversity training for administrators and faculty 8.  Ini-ate dis-nguished women in engineering speaker’s forum 9.  Coordinate interna-onal and na-onal “research focused” professional development workshops for faculty 10.  Hold annual WIRES Summits