WiSE Up Reading Group
Originally started with a focus on gender bias in STEM, WiSE Up quickly recognized that many issues women face in the lab and the classroom are shared by others who don't fit the traditional image of "The Scientist." Our readings consider the status of women scientists and engineers while seeking opportunities to explore issues specific to people of color, differently labeled, LGBTQ community members, and others who have historically not been part of mainstream research culture. Join us to read and discuss the latest research and solutions to these and other pressing issues. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided!
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Have you ever thought about how race, gender, and socioeconomic status factor into your professional interactions? Did you know that groups that have greater gender and racial diversity are more productive and produce higher quality work? Unfortunately, the participation of women and people of color in STEM careers is still lagging, even after two generations of efforts to promote and advance greater diversity across all STEM fields. What are the causes of this disparity, and why should we care?
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If you’re interested in reading and discussing the latest research and exploring solutions to these and other pressing issues, then join us at our monthly WiSE Up events (past articles can be found here).
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WiSE Up events are held each quarter. The date and location will be announced the week before.
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Below is a list of curated articles from our past discussions.
Next Discussion on Fri. Feb. 21, 10:30-11:30 in Sinsheimer 101 - Topic "Balancing Science and Family"
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​This week we will be covering the topic of balancing family life and a career in science. This is a prevalent issue for every parent but in particular, this issue plays a big role in the underrepresentation of women in STEM. Special guests Prof. Needhi Bhalla and Prof. Doug Kellogg will be on hand to provide perspective from their experience.
Articles:
"The changing career trajectories of new parents in STEM" PNAS 2019
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"Balancing Family Life with a Science Career" Nature 2015
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Next Discussion on Fri. Feb. 21, 10:30-11:30 in Sinsheimer 101 - Topic "Balancing Science and Family"
Snacks provided!
Past discussion covering the topic of imposter syndrome, a prevalent issue in STEM fields especially amongst women in and underrepresented minorities.
Articles: "Faking It" Nature, 2016
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An Inner Barrier to Career Development"
Past Discussion
Snacks provided!
Article: Journals invite too few women to referee by Jory Lerback and Brooks Hanson, Nature article.
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Nature Article "Journals invite too few women to referee" by Jory Lerback and Brooks Hanson. "Here we present evidence that women of all ages have fewer opportunities to take part in peer review. Using a large data set that includes the genders and ages of authors and reviewers from 2012 to 2015 for the journals of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), we show that women were used less as reviewers than expected (on the basis of their proportion of membership of the society and as published authors in AGU journals)."
Past Discussion
200 Biomed UCSC campus
Article: Women and Men in STEM Often at Odds Over Workplace Equity, Pew Research Study.
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This study highlights gender-specific differences in STEM workplace experiences (e.g., half (50%) of women in STEM jobs have experienced at least one of eight types of gender discrimination at work, with only 19% of men in STEM jobs saying the same), and how workplace gender biases are perceived differently. This study also describes the changes in gender and minority representation in individual STEM fields and gender differences in what men vs women look for in a STEM job. If you're pressed for time, a media summary of the research can be found here.
Past Discussion
200 Biomed UCSC campus
Article: Breaking Social Barriers: How WiSE supports female scientists and engineers on campus and beyond, UCSC's City on a Hill Press.
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This May 2012 article by Isabel Capacete discusses the systemic issues in recruitment and retention of women in science and how labs at the University of California Santa Cruz are attempting to address these issues.
Past Discussion
200 Biomed UCSC campus
Article: Top 5 Myths About Girls, Math and Science, Live Science.
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What we hear and believe about women and science are often persistent myths propagated by cultural expectations. Knowing these myths facilitates addressing the causes of the "leaky pipeline" early in young student's education.
Past Discussion
200 Biomed UCSC campus
Article: Elite Male Faculty Employ Fewer Women, Science.
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This June 2014 article by Vijaysree Venkatraman looks at the statistics of women in science and how successful male labs keep them out, advertently or inadvertently. Links to the study itself and further discussion can be found in the link above.
Past Discussion
200 Biomed UCSC campus