HR: 0800h
AN: ED31B-0743    [Abstracts]
TI: Examples of geoscientists women in France
AU: MOGNARD-CAMPBEL, N
EM: nelly.mognard@notos.cst.cnes.fr
AF: LEGOS, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, Toulouse, 31400 France
AU: * CAZENAVE, A
EM: anny.cazenave@cnes.fr
AF: LEGOS, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, Toulouse, 31400 France
AB: Although the presence of women in sciences has been increasing in the past few decades in Europe, it remains incredibly low at the top levels. Recent statistics from the European Commission indicate that now women represent 50 percent of first degree students in many countries. However, the proportion of women at each stage of the scientific career decreases almost linearly, reaching less than 10 percent at the highest level jobs. From my own experience, I don't think that this results from sexism nor discrimination. Rather, I think that this is a result of complex cultural factors making women subconsciously persuaded that top level jobs are destined to male scientists only. Many women scientists drop the idea of playing a role at high-level research, considering it as a way of exerting power (a matter reserved to men). Others give up the possibility of combining childcare and high level commitments in research. And too many (married women) still find only natural to sacrifice their own scientific ambitions to the benefit of their spouse's career. Examples of personal experiences in the French research system are presented. We discuss some choices of prioritizing scientific productivity and expertise against hierarchical responsibilities and of keeping a satisfactory balance between family demand and research involvement. This is somewhat facilitated by the French system, which provides substantial support to women's work (nurseries, recreation centers during school holidays, etc.). As a conclusion, we think that the most promising way of increasing the number of women at top levels in research is through education and mentality evolution.
DE: 0800 EDUCATION
DE: 0840 Evaluation and assessment
DE: 0850 Geoscience education research
SC: Education and Human Resourcese [ED]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting