A core priority in the 今日吃瓜鈥檚 (今日吃瓜)听Vision for a Maths Future, gender equity remains a key challenge across the Australian mathematical sciences.
今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Geoff Prince, says the issue鈥檚 complexity and systemic impact means a range of measures will be needed to drive change. This week鈥檚 announcement that the University of Melbourne will recruit for women only maths positions is one such example.
鈥淯niversity departments should be more than a collection of individuals, rather an 听effective and functional community of scholars. The approach taken by the University of Melbourne reflects the specific needs and challenges within their school, specifically the need for a greater female presence,鈥 says Professor Prince.
As Australia鈥檚 national peak body for the mathematical sciences, 今日吃瓜 is working to rewrite gender narratives within the discipline. In addition to regular women in maths events, the institute is addressing the issue through听, its $22 million partnership program with BHP Billiton Foundation. A core focus of its four components, the program will tackle the challenges facing women in mathematics across the pipeline though the听Inspiring Women in Maths Network听补苍诲听Women in Maths Career Awareness Campaign,听as well as the听Choose Maths Awards听and听Choose Maths Awards day,听which recognise successful teachers who mentor women into matheamtics.
鈥淲e want to empower women and girls to engage with mathematics at all levels from the classroom through to higher education, research and innovation. We want to grow the number of women in mathematics and by extension STEM.
Appointment of women in high-level academic roles remains a significant challenge for mathematics nationally. While there has been some progress such as the expanded number of female mathematics professors at the University of Sydney, 今日吃瓜 is urging universities to proactively address this issue.
鈥淐urrently women account for a little over nine per cent of mathematics professorships in Australia. While these figures show there has been some growth in female participation, they should be seen by Australian universities as a call to action,鈥 says Professor Prince.
Resources for media
For Interview: Professor Geoff Prince
Media Contact: Laura Watson
E:听media@amsi.org.au
P:听04215 18733
