Report from the Women in Astronomy and Space Science conference

26 October 2009

The Women in Astronomy and Space Science conference, which focused on meeting the challenges of an increasingly diverse workforce in the global world of today, was held in Adelphi, Maryland, USA, on October 20-23, 2009.  Keynote speakers, Dr. Edward Weiler, NASA Headquarters, Dr. Kathie Olsen, National Science Foundation, and Congresswoman Donna Edwards, while recognizing the progress made in the education and employment of women in the scientific field, acknowledged that challenges still remained both in this area and in the integration of minorities into the scientific workforce.  Dr. Catherine Cesarsky presented an IAU study on statistics, while Drs. Helen Walker and Hashima Hasan presented poster papers on International Year of Astronomy 2009 projects addressing women and underrepresented groups.  Nobel Laureate, Dr. John Mather, led a panel discussion on leadership roles in space astronomy projects; Dr. Colleen Hartman on non-academic careers; Dr. Meg Urry on retention of women in astronomy; Dr. Anne Douglass on parenthood and scientific careers; Dr. Fran Bagnel on negotiations; Dr. Mark Goldman on mentorship; and Dr. Keivan Stassun on minority serving institutions.  Other issues discussed during the conference included addressing unconscious bias, re-entry issues after a career break, and generational issues in the scientific workplace.  A discussion group of early career astronomers identified work and family issues in the U.S. and presented their recommendations to the Executive Office of the President, at a meeting they had with the Office of Science and Technology Office representatives.  They also toured the White House before the meeting.  The conference was dedicated to Dr. Beth Brown, an astronomer at the Goddard Space Flight Center, who was at the peak of her career and a lead member of the Scientific Organization Committee of the conference, when she passed away.  Details of the conference may be found at http://wia2009.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

Report by: Dr. Hashima Hasan (NASA IYA2009 Single Point of Contact)

Organisational Associates:
ESO AAS INSU CAS STRW NOVA STFC SCNAT SPA NRC MEC CNES DLR ESA JAXA NAOJ APL PS ESF ISRO ICRAN NLSI NOT U Cluster NASAEAS ASI NRAO CEA  KASI EAE SPA AUI CROSCI


The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is endorsed by the United Nations and the International Council of Science.