Early career newSletters

Issue 6
April 2011

Towards achieving gender equity in research
Perspective in numbers
Finding the chameleon within: A day in the life of a science mum
The interview
News bulletin
Government and research
Upcoming funding opportunities for early career researchers
Your comments

EDITORIAL

Towards achieving gender equity in research

I make no apologies for devoting this editorial, once again, to the important issue of women in science. This topic is timely! Equal access to education, training and science and technology was the United Nations theme for the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day on 8th March. However, in Australia, as in most countries, women are still under represented at senior levels in research departments and institutes, even though they now comprise more than half our undergraduates and PhD candidates. 

Gender discrimination no longer overt
An interesting article by Ceci and Williams appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science ‘Understanding current causes of women’s underrepresentation in science’ www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1014871108. The authors conclude that sex discrimination in grant and manuscript reviewing, interviewing and hiring was significant 20 years ago but is no longer a major factor in gender discrimination. Today the key issue is gender-related differences in available resources attributable to choices, whether free or constrained.

This resonates with me and, I suspect, with anyone who entered science 50 years ago. In the 1960s and ‘70s, sexist questions – ‘Are you going to have children because that rules you out from this lecturer post’ – and frankly offensive dirty jokes were the standard parlance of appointment committees, which were usually composed only of men. Thank goodness this has gone, at least in Australia, and the UK and US. In spite of this, we still see few women in senior roles in academia – in every discipline, the proportion of women in senior posts is lower than their proportion in the field as a whole, and is usually less than 20 per cent. If you are interested in the outcomes at a university where the issue of gender equity has been taken seriously, there is a very interesting discussion of the good and bad sides of strong action in the New York Times (see Box 2 below).

Acknowledgement of new issues
The Ceci and Williams article states that ‘addressing today’s causes of under representation requires focusing on education and policy changes that will make institutions responsive to differing biological realities of the sexes’. First and foremost, this reality relates to children. Although balancing a family with long hours at work is often difficult for fathers, as highlighted in Liz Williams’ article below, generally most of the child care burden falls to the mother, even if she and her partner are of equivalent academic status. But part of the causes also relates to valuing ways of problem-solving and management that involve more consensual approaches and less confrontation, which are more commonly found in women than in men. 

As Sharon Bell mentions in her report Women in Science in Australia published by FASTS in October 2009, part of the solution needs government action, such as the introduction of maternity leave – it is remarkable that Australia was so late in offering a more or less acceptable scheme of maternity leave. Bell suggests mentoring of young female researchers and finding role models of successful women scientists and doctors as other possible solutions. But what else can be done?

Acting now
And here we come to the Walter and Eliza Hall Medical Research Institute approach. As detailed in Early Days #3 science.org.au/ecr/ecr-newsletters, WEHI has implemented a ten point plan to move towards gender equity at senior levels. Some of the WEHI actions cost money, such as support packages to cover childcare expenses for outstanding female postdoctoral fellows, but others are virtually free – setting family-friendly meeting times and providing a room for breastfeeding mothers. One of the most important, in my view, is the commitment to provide support for mothers with young children to attend meetings, if that is necessary to allow a platform presentation. 

Finally, it is important to realise that different people, whether men or women, have different needs. Not everyone needs financial help or mentoring on time management or the chance to talk through the problems of having a young family. However, everyone needs to address this issue because otherwise we lose the precious skills of half our Australian scientists.   

Professor Bob Williamson AO FAA FRS
Secretary for Science Policy

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Perspective in numbers

By Liz Williams
OCE Postdoctoral Fellow, CSIRO

The lab buzzed with frenetic energy every Monday, when the start of each new experiment forced student and professor alike into a cheerful panic. If we were lucky, calm happened sometime before midnight, when the beam was finally on target and the first counts started coming in. If we weren't, we would settle into the control room for the better part of the night, reinforced with Cup-O-Noodles and Milky Ways from the snack box upstairs, waiting until we could once again try to make things work.

This was my life in experimental nuclear physics. Most days, being part of a team of researchers was exhilarating. As a grad student without family obligations, the late nights were worth it. But as time went on, as I got married, graduated, started a postdoctoral position, I began to consider what might happen when my life inevitably grew more complex.

This thought hit home one night in particular, when I was adjusting the electronics for our detector array. A fellow postdoc was desperately trying to get the backup data acquisition system working. By 8pm, progress was elusive, and he had a young child and a wife impatiently waiting for him to return home before he began a night shift in four hours time. He asked for permission to leave.

From the look on another colleague's face, my fellow postdoc might as well have set the building on fire. I understood the feeling. He knew the data acquisition system better than anyone; without his help, we were stuck.

But I had witnessed so many of my colleagues over the years struggle with the decision to choose between science and family because of scenes like this. I had found too few examples of colleagues who had families. I had seen too few people speak up in favour of establishing workable systems – formal or otherwise – that might help those who do have families stay in the field. And so, I supported his decision to go home. Worst case scenario, we could repeat the experiment the following week.

Scientists in any research area requiring expensive, difficult to access, constantly threatened experimental facilities and an ever-dwindling pool of research staff may find this scenario familiar. There are never enough people to do the research and never enough publications to satisfy funding agencies. Is there much that we, as early career researchers, can do to change this?

For the sake of many of my friends and former students in physics, I hope the answer is yes. But I believe it will take time and a collective willingness to speak up for colleagues and trainees who have priorities beyond the laboratory walls.

My fellow postdoc did go home that night. A few hours later, the experiment began.

Finding the chameleon within: A day in the life of a science mum

By Josephine Forbes
NHMRC Senior Research Fellow, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute

I awaken each day to the feeling of the saucer-sized eyes of a two year old upon me. I look at the clock, even though I know it will read 5.55am. After sleep wears off, I transform into a general of military efficiency, to guide two dawdling children and a husband through breakfast and into the car in some semblance of a respectable length of time, although this often depends upon the number of requisite toilet trips, missing shoes or keys and tantrums over missing yoghurt. Some say that iPods are a joyful distraction in the car but I find I have to be the eternal diplomat to swallow listening to ‘Mr Shark’s Big White Teeth’ at least forty times. I pray for a short trip. However, I make good use of the time and despite my husband’s reprimands, I put my lipstick on in the car while at traffic lights or not at all.  Somehow I have retained a little vanity in amongst my entire life’s focus on others, yet this requires another alter ego, the smouldering supermodel – well, at least my husband thinks so!

Arrival at work requires another transition to decision maker, aka Associate Professor. I often have an early morning student meeting where I play counsellor and ‘all-wise mentor’ and wonder if they would think me so wise if they had seen me toilet training earlier that morning. On any given day, I may don my politician’s hat for discussions of policy and funding, use my refined diplomatic skills to solve all manner of problems, become a literary genius to craft an exciting twist to explain and present scientific findings, or channel my inner supermodel for a television interview.

While all this is going on, work and family worlds converge; between meetings, I explain to carers why my son has eaten a few cups of sand at crèche, organise a new round of immunisations, sort out a kindergarten position for my daughter and hunt down the last super mermaid Barbie that is a must for Christmas peace.

Is it any wonder I have never suffered insomnia? The one thing I love about science and parenthood is that life is NEVER dull. Each day, I get to play more roles than an actor in Hollywood would play in her lifetime. While there is no doubt that being a parent with a scientific career is an incredible challenge, I have taken on that challenge and adapted to my various roles. In the process, I have become an efficient time manager with an unending pool of patience and a great sense of humour. When I get a moment of peace, I savour each second. What more do we need from life?

The interview

By Dr Michael O'Connor

Michael O'Connor, a research lecturer in Regenerative Medicine at the University of Western Sydney has interviewed Professor David James FAA and Dr Darren Saunders to learn about their experiences working in international research labs and their advice for early career researchers contemplating a position overseas.

Australian Academy of Science Fellow:
Professor David James PhD FAA – DJ
Director, Diabetes and Obesity Research Program,
Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney

Early Career Researcher
Darren Saunders PhD – DS
Group Leader, Cancer Research Program,
Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney.

1. Describe your overseas research experiences (including current position) – where, when and how did you find the position?

DJ: I was a postdoc at Boston University from 1985–88 and then Assistant Professor, Department of Cell Biology, Washington University, St Louis until 1993. I was offered the job in St Louis due to the work I was doing at that time on GLUT4. I returned to Australia on a Wellcome Trust fellowship. This was very important. I stayed in Brisbane for 8 years and then I needed a change and moved to Sydney in 2001.

DS: I have just returned from a postdoc (my second) in Sam Aparicio’s lab at the BC Cancer Research Centre/UBC in Vancouver, Canada. I was there for 3 years from early 2007. I tried to be strategic in finding an overseas position and focus on a few labs I really wanted to work in. I contacted the PIs I wanted to work for to see if they had postdoc positions available, then spent a week visiting labs - presenting seminars, interviewing and talking to members of the lab. I didn’t originally approach Sam but was recommended by another PI I had contacted at the same institute. I knew within 10 minutes of meeting Sam that I wanted to work in his lab and it turned out to be a great decision. It is worth noting that none of the positions I seriously considered were advertised.

2. Why did you choose to undertake an overseas research position?

DJ: The opportunity to live abroad and to get overseas training was appealing. It was also an expectation that this should be done to further your career in research and it was true.

DS: I wanted OS experience in a different research and cultural environment, preferably in a well-funded lab. I was determined to broaden my technical/practical and theoretical horizons. I tried to be strategic in picking a field I thought was increasing in importance (functional genomics) and would give me an edge when trying to return home, but mainly my decision was based around the actual research questions in the lab. At the time, nobody in Australia was attempting the kind of experiments that I was interested in doing, nor had the setup to attempt them, but we’ve caught up in some ways.

3. What did you find to be the most valuable aspect of undertaking an overseas position?

DJ: Experience the fast pace of big science and new ideas – gives you the confidence that you can do good science back in Australia. Meeting key people who you can collaborate with and discuss ideas with in the future – also allows you to keep in touch with what is going on, broadens your thinking, making you realise that science is not just about Australia but about the world effort.

DS: I was incredibly fortunate to find myself working for a fantastic, supportive mentor with a real passion for great science. His enthusiasm and can-do attitude really encouraged me to think outside the square, and we had the resources to let us chase big questions. It was very exciting, and stressful, to work right at the cutting-edge of the field. Sam was also very supportive of the career development and progression of people in his lab. Being in North America, I was exposed to talks and visits from many important and well-known scientists that don’t always make the trip down to Australia.

4. Was there any negative aspect to your overseas research experience?

DJ: None.

DS: To me, not really, but my wife made some pretty big professional and personal sacrifices to leave her job and move overseas. It can be a little isolating at first trying to adjust to a new lab and new technology, and there’s always a niggling stress in the back of your mind about how/when you’re going to get home!

5. What lessons or tips have you learned about undertaking an overseas research position that you would like to pass on to early career researchers?

DJ: Go somewhere which is operating at the absolute peak of science productivity. For me, Boston was second to none but there are lots of places like this. For instance, I recall coming home on the number one bus up Mass Ave listening to the wealth of stimulating conversations around me about everything you could imagine. This was awesome! Do something different to what you have been doing in the past. Try to put yourself into a situation where you are at the bottom of the ladder forcing yourself to scramble back up again. Think about what will be going on 5 to 10 years from now and go to a place that is embracing that.

DS: Start looking for a position early and be prepared for frustrations dealing with immigration and paperwork in the country you’re moving to. Try to visit the lab and spend time talking to students and postdocs in the lab; ask as many questions as you can. If you plan on coming home, maintain contacts and collaborations in Australia. Try to make it home to a meeting or two while away to keep up with the research and funding environment and remind people you still exist. Also, it’s not all about the work; make the most of opportunities for new experiences and travel.

6. Given your international research experience, what perspective has it given you on the Australian research environment?

DJ: The quality of people here is amazing. The access to equipment and technology is not that bad here. The education system here is, for the most part, very good.

DS: Australian researchers seem to maintain a truly international perspective that isn’t always apparent in North American scientists.

7. In which areas do you think Australia could improve?

DJ: More money to support science and people and less investment in building new buildings. More emphasis on quality and penetrating science rather than incremental science. Better connectivity with overseas institutions.

DS: Funding, obviously. Not only do we lag in overall levels of funding, but we need to take a serious look at the current trend to spend money on new buildings/infrastructure and instead start supporting people, with viable and realistic career structures. We need to resist the creeping managerialism in science, particularly the increasing demand for volumes of information in funding proposals with inherently low chances of success – it is simply a waste of time and detracts from the core aim of innovation.

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News bulletin

Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Summit
On 11 April 2011, the first WiSE summit was held at Parliament House in Canberra, organised by the Australian National Commission for UNESCO, the Australian National Committee for UN Women and FASTS. Australia’s political leaders (including Federal Minister for the Status of Women, the Hon. Kate Ellis MP, pictured) science and industry leaders, and early to mid career researchers came together to discuss the reasons for, and possible solutions to the under participation and under representation of women in education, training and employment in the fields of science and engineering. Ms Ellis said that, ‘this issue is important in terms of broadening opportunities for working women in Australia but it is also critical to our national productivity, innovation and international competitiveness’.

The Australian Academy of Science was pleased to sponsor the event and the Academy’s President Professor Suzanne Cory and Chief Executive Dr Sue Meek participated in a roundtable discussion of leadership by women in science. Among the many commitments made, both the NHMRC and ARC agreed to change the way in which they assess research publications of grant applicants who have had career interruptions. The ARC will extend the period taken into account beyond the current five year period from next year. The NHMRC will, from this year, consider any nominated five year period of an applicant’s career instead of the immediate past five years. Details of the other commitments to action made by organisations represented at the summit are available at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/category/wise

Frank Fenner Early Career Fellowship
The enormous achievements of Emeritus Professor Frank Fenner, a Fellow of the Academy of Science, will be commemorated by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) fellowship in honour of his pioneering research and contributions to health and medical research in Australia. The fellowship, announced in December 2010, will be awarded to early career researchers identified through the NHMRC’s competitive peer-review process whose research reflects Fenner’s achievements in international health. The first NHMRC Frank Fenner Early Career Fellowship will be announced in 2011.

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Government and research

Proposed patent amendments go too far
In early March, the Academy provided a submission to the Senate inquiry into the Patent Amendment Bill on Human Genes and Biological Material. The Academy believes that the proposed amendment could prevent important medical research and leave Australia with a different set of criteria for patentability to most other countries.

Easier visas to attract bright young minds
In April, the Academy made a submission to the Australian Government’s review of the student visa program, recommending that overseas science research students have access to special fast-tracked visas for postgraduate study at Australian universities. International PhD students contribute to the intellectual powerhouse of Australia, and each of them represents a potential collaborative partner with Australian researchers once they return home. The submission also proposed that senior scientists wishing to work in Australian institutions have easier access to visas.

Safeguarding the future of Australia’s stem cell research
The Academy has cautioned that changes to the laws governing human stem cell research could put Australian science on the back foot internationally in a submission to the review of the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 and Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002. Two changes to the way the NHMRC administers the Acts are proposed to allow for research into mitochondrial disorders and to provide easier access to existing stem cell cultures for new research.

Excellence in Research for Australia
The Academy provided a submission to the ARC’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) consultation process in March. The Academy’s view is that any attempt to make an objective assessment of Australian research quality is to be welcomed and the first ERA has demonstrated that Australian research is of a high international standard. However, there is concern that the ERA process disadvantages new research areas due to the bibliometric assessment methods used. New fields often do not have dedicated journals, or their journals are of low impact for the first few years. It is felt that this process also disadvantages interdisciplinary research because of the way in which journals are allocated to disciplines.

These submissions are accessible on the Academy of Science website
science.org.au/reports/

Update On National Research Workforce Strategy
You may recall that nearly 18 months ago the Academy invited you to participate in the Research Workforce Roundtables conducted by DIISR. A report by the early and mid career researchers who participated in the Melbourne roundtable can be found in Early Days #3 science.org.au/ecr/ecr-newsletters/
After a considerable consultation process the strategy has finally been completed and is now available at innovation.gov.au/Research/ResearchWorkforceIssues/Documents/ResearchSkillsforanInnovativeFuture.pdf

During the launch for Research skills for an innovative future, Senator the Honourable Kim Carr emphasised the strategy’s role in planning research over the next decade. Along with the announcement of Australia’s next Chief Scientist (Professor Ian Chubb), the Minister announced two new initiatives to complement the new strategy:

• $1 million in the Australian Technology Network’s new Doctoral Training Centre for Industry in Mathematics. The Centre will take an integrated, practical approach, working directly with industry partners to engage PhD students in new research collaborations.
  
  
• $200,000 funding for the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, the Learned Academies and the Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies to investigate best practice approaches to research training.
  
  

Perhaps there will be additional opportunities in the future for you to contribute to discussions on the support mechanisms for Australia’s young researchers.

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Upcoming funding opportunities for early career researchers

2011 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Rewarding Science
This year there are 24 prizes on offer including new Eureka prizes for:

• commercialisation of innovation
• emerging leader in science
• infectious diseases research
• innovative use of technology
• outstanding mentor of young researchers
• promoting understanding of Australian science research
• science or mathematics teaching
  
  

Entries close midnight AEST Friday 6 May. Further information and entries are available at australianmuseum.net.au/eureka

Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards
Applications for funding in 2012 close on 18th May 2011. Information, including eligibility criteria, is available at www.arc.gov.au/applicants/default.htm

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellowships
The deadline to apply for funding commencing in 2012 is 3 May 2011.
Information is available at www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply/training/index.htm

2011 Young Tall Poppy Awards
Nominations are accepted across all states and territories from all fields of science and technology and close on Sunday 8 May 2011. For full selection and eligibility criteria, please see www.aips.net.au/tall-poppies/nominations-2011

2011 L’Oréal Australia For Women In Science Fellowships
Three fellowships of $20,000 each are to be awarded to high-achieving, female scientists to help them consolidate their careers and rise to leadership positions in science.
Applications close on Monday 2 May 2011.

Further information is available at www.scienceinpublic.com/loreal/applications

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Your comments

What measures do you think could be instigated to make your institution more family friendly?
We invite you to submit your opinions, ideas and comments on this question. Selected responses will
be published in the next issue of Early Days. Please email your response before 20th June 2012 to hannah.french@science.org.au

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