IUPAP: Working Group on Women in Physics

The working group was formed by resolution of the Atlanta General Assembly.

The mandate of the group is

To survey the situation for women in physics in IUPAP member countries. To analyze and report the data collected along with suggestions on how to improve the situation. To suggest ways that women can become more involved in IUPAP, including the Liaison Committees, the Commissions, the Council, and the General Assemblies. To report all findings at the General Assembly in 2002.
In carrying out the above charge, it may prove useful to organize and convene an international meeting on women in physics. If such a meeting occurs, it should be planned so that a full account can be provided with the report at the General Assembly in 2002.

Conferences:

Resolutions

The First International Conference on Women in Physics - Paris

Reports:

General Assembly Report in 2005
Report from Marcia Barbosa, Chair http://www.if.ufrgs.br/iupap/wgwip.html

IUPAP/UNESCO Travel Grants

Membership:

Chair, Dr. Barbara Sandow , Germany	Prof. Erna Karule, Latvia
Past Chair, Dr. Marcia Cristina B. Barbosa, Brazil	Dr. Zora Ben Lakdar, Tunisia
Prof. Anne Borg, Norway	Dr. Beverly Hartline, USA
Prof. Silvina Ponce Dawson, Argentina	Prof. Sumathi Rao, India
Prof. Martial Ducloy, France	Prof. Setsuko Tajima, Japan
Dr. Igle Gledhill, South Africa	Dr. Ling-An Wu, China
Prof.Youngah Park Republic of Korea	Assoc. Member, Dr.Corinna Kausch, Germany
	IUPAP Liaison, Dr. Judy R. Franz, USA

Paris, France, from March 7 to March 9, 2002. It was the first international conference held on this topic.

The primary purpose of the International Conference on Women in Physics was to understand the severe under-representation of women worldwide and to develop strategies to increase their participation in physics. The conference served as an initial focal point for ongoing activities to implement the strategies developed at the conference. It is widely acknowledged that the global scientific workforce is under-utilizing a large percentage of the available talent pool. Although the situation differs widely from country to country, there is a remarkable consistency in one sobering pattern: the percentage of women in physics, physical science and engineering in all countries decreases markedly with each step up the academic ladder and with each level of promotion in industrial and government laboratories.

In addition to organizing the conference, the IUPAP Working Group on Women in Physics did an international benchmarking study on issues concerning women in physics. Demographic information on education and career attainment was collected from countries in all parts of the world and was analyzed by professional statisticians. This material and the results of the discussions at the conference were published in the proceedings, and are available freely on the internet at http://www.if.ufrgs.br/~barbosa/women.html

In addition to the conference, the Working Group raised funds and developed a program to award grants to women to allow them to attend international conferences and seminars. More than 30 grants were awarded in 2002 (see names at http://www.if.ufrgs.br/~barbosa/conference.html). In 2003, another group of 25 women received the grant (see link above). The third edition of this program is currently underway and an additional 25 women will be selected to receive funds.

The Working Group is starting now a new program: a network of female physicists in Africa. Next August representatives of the working group and physicists from Africa are meeting for planning the activities of the network.

WG.5: Working Group on Women in Physics