The School continues to actively promote mathematics in ACT Schools by maintaining linkages with students, teachers and school counsellors. The promotion of the need for strong mathematical skills in diverse disciplines and new areas of mathematics, including bioinformatics and computational modelling, are particularly emphasised so that students gain a good understanding of why they should study mathematics. We ensure that both genders are represented at school visits so that both male and female students become aware of existing role models in the discipline. The outreach program is designed to incorporate information and images that reinforce gender equity.
In addition, members of the School are working closely with the Australian Mathematical Society to produce a brochure which encourages school leavers to continue in mathematics at university. Role models are again used to target female students. Young female and male mathematics graduates, who have moved into a variety of successful careers, talk about their experiences in the brochure.
During the year, the SMS organised a mini-conference, "Why Mathematics Matters" targeting school students. The invited speakers were chosen for their strong communication skills and successful careers as mathematicians. The aim was to provide role models of both genders and to attract mathematics students to the School.
A flow-on effect of these activities is expected to be increased numbers in students, and in the longer term, a more equitable gender distribution of academic staff.
Against the University's Gender Equity Plan, the School has, during the period under report, taken the following actions:
Mandatory Strategies
3.12 Incorporate successful application of EO principles among noteworthy achievements in staff performance assessments
Commencing 2000, all academic staff have been requested to provide a report of their achievements for the year for inclusion in the Annual Report.
3.14 Make explicit provision for pastoral care and committee activities in promotion and selection procedures
All division heads, chairs and members of selection committees/promotion committees have been issued with guidelines requiring their attention to this responsibility.
3.26 Introduce a mentoring scheme focussed on the needs of women staff members
A strategy is to be developed by the SMS Equity & Diversity Committee during 2001. Recommendations will be conveyed to the Dean for consideration.
Elective Strategies
4.2 Establish a broadly based gender equity advisory group in a Faculty, Research School, Centre or Division
The SMS Equity & Diversity Working Party has been converted to a Committee. It's charter is to make recommendations to the School Board/Dean for action and to respond to the Equity & Diversity Consultative Group on university-wide working party papers and other relevant issues on behalf of the SMS. The Chair and members of the Committee are representative of academic and general staff, and graduate students.
4.12 Actively seek out qualified women applicants when filling senior positions
What was previously an informal practice in the School has been formalised. Division Heads and Chairs and members of selection committees are provided with instructions to seek out suitable candidates. In addition, individual and formal networks are extensively used to advise potential candidates. Also, all relevant positions are now advertised with the USA-based, Association for Women in Mathematics. This action ensures that advertisements are reaching the target audience.
4.16 Actively seek out qualified women applicants when filling 'tenure-track' positions.
Action taken is the same as 4.12 above.
Further strategies are under discussion by the SMS School Board and the SMS Planning Committee and progress will be reported in later Annual Reports.
Ms Verdune Biles, Executive Officer, continues to represent the Dean on the Equity & Diversity Consultative Group. During the year she and Ms Sue Lebish, Executive Officer, RSBS, comprised a working party to examine the need for provision of English language/cultural training for people who are new to Australia, in particular for those for whom English is not their first language. The report of that working party has now been submitted to the Equity & Diversity Working Group for consideration.
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