Strategies for Recruitment, Retention, and Mentoring of Women in STEM: U.S.-German Perspectives

How can universities better promote gender equity in higher education? On Wednesday, October 16, at the German Center for Research and Innovation, expert panelists will share strategies on how to support women in STEM.

NEW YORK, NY (October 14, 2013) – A thorough understanding of the complexities of recruitment, retention, and mentoring of women in STEM needs to be grounded in empirical research and best practices. How do social scientists, university administrators, and state officials work together to assess employment practices on campus? Which strategies can help to implement improved decision-making on issues such as hiring, tenure, and promotion? To what extent do German and U.S. research universities support the evolution towards a better campus climate?

Two leading research universities will join top grant administrators and recipients in the field of gender equity for a panel discussion. Both Lehigh University and the University of Cologne are committed to helping all faculty members balance the responsibilities of their professional and personal lives.

Gender equity in higher education is of national importance in the U.S. and Germany. The goal of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) ADVANCE program is to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic careers in science and engineering. ADVANCE encourages institutions of higher education and the broader science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) community to address various aspects of STEM academic culture and institutional structure that may differentially affect female faculty and academic administrators. Since 2008, German institutions of higher education have been developed initiatives to encourage universities to invest in gender equity, when the German Research Foundation (DFG) established its research-oriented standards on gender equity. These include structural and personal standards throughout all areas of the universities. The promotion of women in STEM is part of a national program that embraces higher education and other occupational fields.

For additional information on the presenters Shobha Bhatia (Syracuse University), Britt Dahmen (University of Cologne), Jackie Krasas (Lehigh University), Beth Mitchneck (National Science Foundation), and Anja Steinbeck (University of Cologne), please visit:
http://www.germaninnovation.org/shared/content/documents/16_OCT_2013.pdf

The discussion will take place on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, from 12 noon to 3:30 p.m., at the German House New York (871 United Nations Plaza, First Ave., btw. 48th & 49th Streets).

Unable to attend? Follow @gcri_ny and the hashtag #STEM for live tweets.

A video recording will be available on www.germaninnovation.org shortly after the event.

The event is co-sponsored by the German Center for Research and Innovation, University of Cologne New York Office, and Lehigh University.

About the German Center for Research and Innovation
The German Center for Research and Innovation provides information and support for the realization of cooperative and collaborative projects between North America and Germany. With the goal of enhancing communication on the critical challenges of the 21st century, the GCRI hosts a wide range of events from lectures and exhibitions to workshops and science dinners. Opened in February 2010, the GCRI was created as a cornerstone of the German government’s initiative to internationalize science and research and is one of five German Houses of Research and Innovation worldwide. www.germaninnovation.org

University of Cologne Permanent Representative in New York:
Stefanie Grupp-Clasby
Director
s.grupp-clasby@uni-koeln.de
1. 212.758.5893

Media Contact:
Jennifer Audet
Communications Officer
German Center for Research and Innovation
871 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
audet@germaninnovation.org
1.212.339.8680 X302

This release was published on openPR.