Concerns that women are not succeeding at the expected rate.
By: Jeff Milgram
Fifty women mathematicians from across the country will gather at the Institute for Advanced Study today for a 10-day Mentoring Program for Women in Mathematics.
The program will bring together undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. The program will focus on mathematics learning and research, mentoring, peer relations and career opportunities.
The program is sponsored by the institute’s School of Mathematics and Princeton University.
"There is concern in many quarters that women are not succeeding in the mathematics community at the expected rate," said Karen Uhlenbeck, a former visiting scholar at the institute and now of the University of Texas at Austin, who organized the program. "Those concerned include research mathematicians, women who studied in the 1960s and 1970s and expected larger numbers of women to follow, and those who view the scene from institutional perspectives. This program provides a chance for women to advance their careers in mathematics. In accordance with the principle that mathematics should be inclusive, not exclusive, the activities of the program are open to all, regardless of age and gender. Funding is provided for women."
Princeton University professors Ingrid Daubechies and Sun-Yung Alice Chang, Professor Robert MacPherson of the institute’s School of Mathematics and Princeton University graduate student Cynthia Rudin are among those serving on the program’s organizing committee.
"Many female students and young researchers have encountered discrimination in certain situations and have concerns about entering a field with few senior women visible," Professor Uhlenbeck said. "The atmosphere in classes and seminars can be unappealing, and nearly all young women have practical questions about managing a career and personal interests. Often women have not had the opportunity to work with other serious women in their profession or listen to more than an occasional lecture or course given by a woman. The network formed through contacts with women functions like any other network in giving opportunities, support and inside information to its members."
The program offers both formal and informal activities designed to encourage interaction among participants. The program includes an undergraduate-beginning graduate student lecture course; a graduate course; research seminars; course and seminar presentation by participants at all levels; working problem sessions; and a women-in-science seminar.
The day of sessions will be held at Princeton University and there will be talks by university President Shirley M. Tilghman and Charles Fefferman, chairman of the university’s Department of Mathematics.