Director: Dr. Silvia Tomaskova
Associate Professor of Women's Studies and Anthropology
401/410D Alumni Hall
(919) 843-4509
http://www.unc.edu/depts/anthro/faculty/fac_pages/tomaskova.html
History
The Women and Science Program
at UNC-Chapel Hill was established in 1993 by Vice Chancellor for Graduate
Studies and Research, Dr. Mary Sue Coleman. The program is housed with
the Curriculum in Women’s Studies as the substantial and emerging
literature on gender and science includes scholarship in many fields –
history, sociology, anthropology, education, psychology, philosophy, and
social studies of science – but shares a common
focus on gender and women. The Women’s Studies Curriculum provides
meeting ground and access to women’s networks and organizations
on the UNC campus, and as of 2001/2002 a tenure-track position for a coordinating
director of the program.
Mission
The mission of the Women and Science Program is to work with the science departments on the UNC campus on attracting and retaining more women and minority students and faculty in sciences and mathematics. Our main efforts are to promote systemic change in the ways that science, and science education, are regarded and carried out at the University of North Carolina. Research has shown that the attrition rate of women in science, engineering and mathematics is greater than that of their male counterparts, even though the women's academic standings are equal to or higher than the men in the studies. Women’s Studies is working to create a neutral space for students and faculty to voice their sense of healthy working relationships and productive environment without a fear of repercussions. The program exists to integrate the ideas, strengths, and approaches of women into research, teaching, and service, and to promote a supportive environment for women to study and work.
Activities
Women and Science reading group, supported by the Carolina Seminars, meets regularly during the academic year, attracting faculty and students from UNC, NCSU, Duke and working scientists from RTP. The readings and discussion focus on different subjects selected by the participants each year, depending on their interests. All interested in the subject are cordially invited to join us for a once a month meeting, light refreshments and a discussion. To join the mailing list of the group, go to:
http://webmail1.isis.unc.edu:82/lists/
Distinguished Speaker Series
Each year the Women and Science Program hosts a distinguished speaker who will address students and faculty and hold a seminar discussion.
In 2001/02 Dr. Evelyn Hammonds, History of Science, (MIT) Harvard University, delivered a lecture "The Logic of Difference: Racial Categories in Medicine", discussing her work on the history of gynecology and racial politics in the South, and participated in a seminar on women and minorities in science today.
In 2002/03 Dava Sobel, a former New York Times science reporter and award-winning author of "Longitude" and "Galileo's Daughter", gave the Hillard Gold Lecture on October 28th in Hill Hall Auditorium, "The Making of 'Galileo's Daughter'".More
In 2003/04 Dr. Vera Rubin, Carnegie Institute's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, participated in a discussion of Women in Science (Nov. 17, 2003), and delivered the Chancellor's Science Seminar (Nov. 18, 2003). Vera Rubin, an internationally renowned expert on the velocities of galaxies, was the first to prove the existence of "dark matter," or nonluminous mass, forever changing our perception of the universe.
Undergraduate courses currently offered through the program:
Women and Science Anth/WS 78 – a historical introduction to the topic of women’s participation and exclusion from a variety of scientific endeavors
Gender and Science Anth/WS 136 – an examination of science as a gendered cultural practice.
For any suggestions, comments, ideas, news and celebrations please contact the director of the program Dr. Silvia Tomaskova at tomas@unc.edu
Useful and interesting links:
© UNC Chapel Hill 2007