Formation1984

Not to be confused with WISET (Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Advisory Group), established in 1993.

WISENET (Women in Science Enquiry Network), was a volunteer network for women scientists in Australia established in 1984.[1] It was created from the Women's Studies forum at the 1984 conference of the Australian & New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (ANZAAS) in Canberra.[2] The network was formed with the goal of giving women a fairer share in the responsibilities and benefits of science and technological change. Member concerns included discrimination in academic and scientific employment.[3] One of the key people in establishing the Network was chemist Diana Temple. Temple was part of a group whose research found that the representation of women in academic staff at the University of Melbourne was the same in 1975 as in 1951, due to social barriers preventing women reaching career potential.[4]

From their inception, the network included an education group which hosted talks in Canberra.[5] WISENET established a science shop, which was launched in February 1988 by Dr Norman Swan within the grounds of the Australian National University.[6] The science shop linked scientific expertise with community groups, with projects on recycling polystyrene and collating information on repetitive strain injury.[7]

In 1989, WISENET ran a program of speakers about careers for women in science and technology. It toured in Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra (possibly South Australia).[8]

In 1992, activities included:

  • lobbying regarding budget cuts and advocating for increased funding to medical research as an area of employment for women,
  • joining two coalitions of women's groups sponsored by the National Foundation for Australian Women. These were Women into Politics and CAPOW (Coalition of Australian Participating Organisations of Women), and
  • updating the display about women in science and technology and Australia, shown at the Australian Festival of Science.[9]

In 1997, WISENET received a project grant to interest secondary school students in science and technology careers. This included publication of the Science Futures magazine, distributed to schools during Science Week in 1998. The magazine featured career profiles of young people in the science and technology space.[10]

References

edit
  1. ^ Hefner, Robert (24 January 1988). "Swap card program aims to increase scientific literacy". The Canberra Times. p. 4.
  2. ^ "Non-sexist science". Woroni. 7 April 1988. p. 14.
  3. ^ Bowen, Margarita (April 1985). "Women and science - after 1984". Wisenet: Journal of the Women in Science Enquiry Network (1): 2.
  4. ^ Hooker, Claire (2004). "Into the new century". Irresistible forces: Australian women in science. Carlton, Victoria: Melbourne University Press. p. 170. ISBN 052285107X.
  5. ^ "WISENET". The Canberra Times. 15 August 1986. p. 14.
  6. ^ Emery, Merrelyn (17 November 1988). "Wisenet provides a scientific service for all". The Canberra Times. p. 9. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  7. ^ Burgess, Verona (28 May 1988). "Scientists and community 'to meet' at science shop". The Canberra Times. p. 1. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Career options for women". The Canberra Times. 3 August 1989. p. 5. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  9. ^ "AGM WISENET minutes". WISENET: Journal of the Women in Science Enquiry Network (32): 17. July 1993.
  10. ^ "Science futures". Investigating: Australian Primary & Junior Science Journal. 14 (1): 19. March 1998. ISSN 0815-9602.
edit