The Imposter WISE women (Part 1 of 2)

“It seems that you have the imposter syndrome” told me a good friend of mine when I was talking about my new job, which I didn’t think I would get. I had never heard about it before, and it was until Grace Hopper 2008 that I heard about it again.

I was very surprised to see the room full, even with people standing for the Imposter Panel. My initial thought was: Do all of these women share my feelings? And it was confirmed when the moderator started the panel with the question: “Who has felt as an impostor in her life?” And everyone raised their hands. I was even more surprised to hear that these feelings were very common in WISE women.

The panellist were successful, recognized women in industry and academia. One by one, the panellists completed the sentence: “I feel an imposter when...”

These are some of their answers:

• I am in new situations (new school, new job, etc.).
• I don’t understand what people are talking about.
• I get asked to do things I don’t feel qualified for.
• I do something that successful people do.
• I do something that women don’t often do.

One of the panellists shared that she used to feel an impostor attending a math conference (1975), giving a talk (1980) or meeting Nobel laureates (2000) but she does not feel like that anymore in those circumstances. However, has attended lots of conferences and given many talks without that feeling. However, she still feels and impostor meeting philanthropists and asking for large amounts of funding for her University.

If you have ever felt as an imposter, you know by now that you’re not the only one. Is there a “cure” for this syndrome? In the next post I will tell you what the panellists have done to deal with it.

Keep tuned and share your “imposter” stories!

Why write about portrayals of women?

My friend Katie writes frequently about how women are represented in media, books, games, and recently she took some time to write a little bit about why she feels it's worth talking about portrayals of women:

This affects more than just me. If I’m the only one complaining, I’m the crazy feminist. If other people are noticing and pointing it out too, then they stop to think about it.

If you've ever wondered why we write what we do for this blog, you might want to go take a look at her post and see how her words can also be applied to the material we write here about women in science and engineering. And while you're there, check out the rest of her blog for all sorts of interesting book reviews, thoughts on gaming, and lots of other insightful stuff. I know many of you involved with WISE will find it fascinating!

Yet Another Inappropriate Conference Talk

Remember that Rails CouchDB debacle a couple of months back? Wouldn't you believe it, but yet another clueless presenter has gone and upped the ante at Flashbelt.

Read about it here, and see my reaction here.

Feel free to light up the blogosphere on this one. If a big stink is made every time someone tries to get away with this, they'll eventually learn. I hope.

Women Faring Well in Hiring and Tenure Processes

From the Butler University Computer Science and Software Engineering "women-in-it announcement" list server.

Women Faring Well in Hiring and Tenure Processes for Science and Engineering Jobs at Research Universities, But Still Underrepresented in Applicant Pools

National Academy of Sciences (06/02/09) Frueh, Sara; Yeibio, Luwam

http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12062

Women are still underrepresented in the applicant pool for faculty positions in math, science, and engineering at major research institutions, but those who do apply are interviewed and hired at rates equal to or higher than those for men, concludes a new National Research Council report. The study also found that although women are underrepresented among those considered for tenure, those who are considered get tenure at the same or higher rates than men. Females who applied for tenure-track positions in each of six disciplines--biology, chemistry, mathematics, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and physics--had better odds of being interviewed and receiving job offers than males. But the report sees a gap between the rate of women applying for tenure-track jobs at research-intensive universities and the rate of women earning Ph.D.s, and this gap is widest in disciplines with larger portions of women receiving Ph.D.s. "Our data suggest that, on average, institutions have become more effective in using the means under their direct control to promote faculty diversity, including hiring and promoting women and providing resources," notes Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Claude Canizares. "Nevertheless, we also find evidence for stubborn and persistent underrepresentation of women at all faculty ranks." Further research on unresolved issues, such as why more women are not applying for tenure-track positions, why female faculty continue to experience a sense of isolation, and how nonacademic issues impact women's and men's career choices at critical points, has been urged by the study committee. "Overall the newly released data indicate important progress, and signal to both young men and especially to young women that what had been the status quo at research-intensive universities is changing," says Yale University School of Medicine professor and committee co-chair Sally Shaywitz.

A night to remember: Jane Goodall Speaks to Ottawa

This article was written by Rosalyn Seeton, CU-WISE Outreach Officer, Ottawa Carleton University EMBS chapter Vice-Chair, WIE member.



I was invited to attend Jane Goodall’s lecture “Reason for Hope” in Ottawa last April as a member of IEEE Ottawa Women In Engineering – a co-sponsor to the event.

Walking into the lobby, the buzz of anticipation and excitement that precedes a performance seemed greater than usual, as if everyone knew they were in for a once in a lifetime special treat. We found our seats, and were surprised to find a complimentary package of Fair Trade coffee in each, provided in honour of the special guest’s visit.

I felt a little surge of pride when IEEE WIE was thanked as a sponsor in the opening remarks and then, in no time, there she was, walking onto the stage with her stuffed monkey. She put him down on the table beside the podium and waited patiently for the standing ovation to subside before responding with a hooting greeting from the chimps.

She started off by talking about her childhood and first interests in worms, chickens, Dr. Doolittle and Tarzan. She spoke about her mother, who had to patiently explain to her that the worms had to live outside and couldn’t sleep in her bed. Her mother also reacted calmly when a very young Jane went missing for several hours because she was hiding inside the chicken roost trying to find out how the hens laid their eggs.

She went on to talk about her determination to get to Africa despite her humble background, an extraordinary goal for a young woman at that time, and certainly not something that many people would have thought possible given her situation. Nevertheless, she persisted, worked very hard, and managed to get to Africa. She talked about studying the chimps in the wild with her mother as a chaperone and once again she emphasized how much support her mother had provided in order for her to pursue her dreams. She spoke about going back to school eventually, skipping right into a PhD and being told that she had done many things wrong. She was told that she should not have named the chimps, and they certainly did not have personalities. She was not persuaded, and this would certainly not be the last time she would oppose traditional views. Her career is marked by groundbreaking discoveries, such as her observation that chimps created and used tools. The world had to catch up with her and recreate the definition of “man”.

She finished by talking about the Roots and Shoots program run by the Jane Goodall Institute and the work that needs to be done to save wildlife habitats and keep the world sustainable. She took questions from the audience and made sure that all the children were able to have their questions answered. After her talk she took the time to autograph books, have her picture taken, and have a few words with anyone from the audience that was willing to wait for the chance. With such impressive life achievements it’s easy to be awed by someone like Jane Goodall. Yet, thanks to her stamina and patience, she was able to communicate on a personal basis with many of us in the audience; it is at this point, speaking to her face to face that one remembers that she is just a regular person too and that each of us can make as much of a difference in our world as she has. Everyone leaving the theatre was excited by the hope and possibility that she exudes.

Heidi, Geek Girl Detective

Sunny summer days are not quite here yet, so for one of these rainy days, I suggest to you a novel, which I was lately recommended by one of my "geek" friends.

Warning: it was very hard to stop reading this novel, about:

Identity theft, password cracking,e-mail eavesdropping, network worms,computer sabotage, booby-trapped software,digital piracy, online kiddie-porn trafficking,cyber-stalking, revenge hacking,and cyber-crime cartels

The first and the second web comic books are now published, or you can buy a printed version.

Enjoy!

The Bechdel test

With the summer blockbusters coming in, I was reminded of this test...

A movie passes the Bechdel test if it satisfies the following requirements:
1. It has to have at least two women in it,
2. Who talk to each other,
3. About something besides a man.

The last two movies I saw were Coraline (which passes with shining colours -- Coraline talks to her mom and the other residents of the apartment about lots of stuff), and Star Trek (that sort of barely makes it because two of the women talk about work. In one scene. Before getting distracted by a mostly naked man. Hrm.)

Think about the last few movies you saw. Do they pass?