WOMEN AND NETWORKING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Denice Denton, DeanCollege of EngineeringApril 20, 2004

UW ADVANCE Objectives Conduct research on issues important to UW

women faculty in science, engineering, and mathematics (SEM)

Undertake institutional transformation to enhance the environment for women faculty in SEM

Support participation by and advancement of women in SEM

Increase the numbers of women in leadership positions in SEM

Focus on the diversity among women in SEM and design programs with this diversity in mind

Center for Institutional Change (CIC)

Leadership development for current chairs SEM department cultural change Policy transformation Mentoring women in SEM for

leadership Transitional Support Program for SEM

faculty Visiting Scholars Program

University of Washington ADVANCE Departments

College of Engineering: Aeronautics & Astronautics Bioengineering Chemical Engineering Civil & Environmental Engineering Computer Science & Engineering Electrical Engineering Industrial Engineering Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Technical Communication

College of Arts and Sciences: Applied Mathematics Astronomy Atmospheric Sciences Biology Chemistry Earth and Space Sciences Mathematics Physics Statistics

Advantages of Networking

Identifies mentors Helps negotiate the system Mentors others (reverse mentoring) Finds people to help you SAY NO Helps brings visibility to your work

First Steps as an Assistant Professor

Get to Know People/Cultivate Allies Don’t wait for them to come to you Find female colleagues in AND OUT

of SEM disciplines Mentor others

Personal Actions: Mentor

Listen

Provide context

Promote

Support

Personal Actions: Mentee

Listen & watch Choose multiple mentors Pay attention Don’t be stubborn for the wrong

reason (adolescent!) Be savvy--make wise and informed

choices!!

Networking Activities at UW

Monthly lunch, dates back to 1998

Mentoring-for-leadership lunches

Assistant professor lunches on their own

More Advantages of Networking

Crucial for recruiting excellent faculty!

Women-only recruitment dinners in EE

Value of Networking to Me atUniversity of Wisconsin Madison

Engineering junior faculty women lunch

STEM junior faculty women evening gigs

Contact with senior women on campus

Value of Networking to Me atUniversity of Washington Seattle

Networking with other deans

Networking with senior women on campus

Networking with women engineering deans