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STFC scientist champions role of women in astronomy
An astronomer from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is leading a world-wide push to encourage organisations to do more to support and encourage female astronomers.
Dr Helen Walker
Credit:IAU
Earlier this month, in her role as Chair of the group ‘She is An Astronomer’, Dr Helen Walker, from STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), successfully presented a new resolution to the world renowned International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly in Brazil.
The new resolution states that IAU members should encourage and support the female astronomers in their communities and that national representatives should encourage national organisations to break down barriers and ensure that men and women are given equal opportunities to pursue a successful career in astronomy at all levels and career steps.
Even though astronomy continues to attract women, there is wide geographical diversity, with some countries having none and other countries having more than 50% female professional astronomers. These numbers drop towards more senior levels, suggesting that scientific careers are heavily affected by social and cultural factors, and are not determined solely by ability.
Dr Helen Walker, said, “The resolution is a great result which will help to ensure that organisations world-wide do more to support the careers of female astronomers. Ensuring that women have the same opportunities as men is not only beneficial to the increasing numbers of talented female scientists but also to the advancement of science which relies on continued interest by talented people, dedicated to pushing its boundaries. It’s great that STFC, which funds the majority of Astronomy here in the UK, is supporting the work of the ‘She is an Astronomer’ group.”
‘ She is an Astronomer’ is one of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA 2009) Cornerstone projects. The overall aim of the project is to provide information to female professional and amateur astronomers, students and those interested in the gender equality problem in science. An objective of the project is to build and maintain an easy-to-handle forum and database, where people can get information about the subject, ask questions and find answers. The website (link opens in a new window)is the main tool to address the aims and objectives of this IYA2009 Cornerstone.
Notes for editors
The International Astronomical Union set up 11 Cornerstone projects for the International year of Astronomy in 2009. IYA 2009 celebrates 400 years since first observations of the Moon using a telescope by Galileo (and Thomas Harriot) and 40 years since the first Moon landings.
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Page last updated: 26 August 2009
by Julia Short
