As a 48-year old Research Associate, who began a PhD program as a
non-married, childless woman, who has since married, given birth to a
son, and is now widowed, I am probably in a position to comment on the
challenges of balancing life as a professional scientist, colleague,
parent, head of household, community member, neighbor, friend, and any
number of other roles we as fellow human beings play throughout our
lives. However, I think it may be more useful to pose a question to the
scientific community at large://
/How well do you think we are doing in the academy, as individuals and
collectively, at producing thoughtful and insightful scientific
knowledge that truly serves to advance the national health, prosperity,
and welfare, which--at least for the United States Government--is
outlined as a primary mission in its support of the advancement of
science through the National Science Foundation? /
It seems to me the old adage as within, so without applies here.
Susan Howe
Colorado State University
Research Associate
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Fort Collins, CO 80523
On 4/12/2012 8:42 AM, Silvia Secchi wrote:
Men make the rules, men win the game, Clara. People like you that do not
question the system or do not try to change it perpetuate a dysfunctional
professional environment.
Silvia Secchi
Assistant Professor, Energy Economics Policy
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale
On Apr 11, 2012, at 11:14 PM, Clara B. Jonesfoucaul...@gmail.com wrote:
Andres: 1. ...i think i really do hear what you are saying, and i get
that the advantages afforded to professional females (including females in
research science careers) in some countries are beneficial to them and
their families...
2. ...however, what level of Science are these females doing...
3. ...is their productivity, including the quality of their research,
equivalent to that of USA men who work, say, 80+ h/week...
4. ...is the quality of work being done in the countries you
cite equivalent to what would be required to achieve senior (i;e.,
professorship [+]) status in the US...
5. ...i don't think i know what the answers to the above questions are;
however, i suspect the answers are no...
6. ...from what i do know, however, i THINK that collaborative research is
acceptable in Europe to a degree that it is not in the USA where, it seems
to me, females who rely on collaboration are often/usually perceived as
hitch(h)iking on a senior person's research projects...though this
strategy may, indeed, purchase senior status in the USA, it often does not
translate to reputation or respect (indeed, there are exceptions)...
7. ...following from the threads on this topic in the past few d...i think
i hear females saying that they're not competing for the sorts of
positions that i describe above...so be it...as one respondent put it,
after a baby came her priorities changed...again, so be it...SORT OF...
8. ...what i mean by SORT OF is that i don't see a problem with USA females
changing priorities UNLESS they've received funding or made other
commitments under the guise that they want to be senior scientists *as
defined in USA*...
9. ...several female respondents have pointed out that female graduate
students, post-docs, etc. are grown-ups capable of making their own
rational decisions...all good...then they should be prepared to assume
responsibility for their decisions...understanding *the realities of USA
science that they signed up for*...
10. ...what is the Plan B for these girls that will fulfill their
commitments *(to USA science)* when they switch priorities...
11. ...what is their plan for purchasing UNDIVIDED, UNINTERRUPTED,
SINGLE-FOCUSED, LONG-TERM, OFTEN UNPREDICTABLE TIME required to accomplish
the sort of senior science *as defined by USA standards*...
12. ...some females minorities assert that the structure of USA science
needs to change...for a variety of reasons...
13. ...however, why should the USA modify the system producing among the
best and most successful scientists in the world...
14. ...more important, in my opinion...is that RATIONAL grown-ups of
whatever sex or sexual orientation or personal status sign up for this
system need not only to have their eyes open but need to step up by not
changing the rules unilaterally in mid- or late-stream...clara
-- Forwarded message --
From: Andres Lopez-Sepulcrelopezsepul...@gmail.com
Date: Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 4:01 PM
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Families in Science - Balancing your personal and
professional life
To: ECOLOG-L@listserv.umd.edu
Andres, do you have any ideas about how we can import that Finlandian model
to the U.S.? And how to get more universities and other employers in the
U.S. to recognize the need to provide for professional couples? Thanks,
David
Ufff... this discussion may become more political than ecological... the
problem, as I see it is more fundamental. How willing are we to pay higher
and more progressive taxes
