Recruiting and Retaining Women in Science and Institutionalizing Practices

1. Recruiting and Retaining Women in Science and Institutionalizing Practices • Lisa Harlow, Barbara Silver, Helen Mederer, • Karen Stamm, and Ashima Singh • University of Rhode Island • Presented at the 116th annual convention of the • American Psychological Association • August 17, 2008, Boston, MA • Thanks to: NSF Grants 0245039 & 0720063 and • Students and Faculty at University of Rhode Island www.uri.edu/advance/

2. Overview: 1. Background 2. Recruitment 3. Retention 4. Institutionalization 5. Summary

3. 1. Background: • a. 20% of STEM faculty are women and minorities • (NSF, 2000) • b. Imbalance creates retention problems • (Rosser, 2003) • c. Programs are needed to transform institutions • (Niemeier & Smith, 2005)

4. 2. Recruitment Efforts: a.Best Practices Recruitment Manual • Developed and distributed to departments b. Web site and On-line Recruitment Tutorial developed • List campus events re recruitment and retention c. Guidelines for Dual Career Hires developed • Work with president, provost, union and AA

5. 3. Retention Efforts: • a.Parental Leave Policy approved and implemented • Faculty time off, with pay, for new child • b. Mentoring Program • Developed and implemented, with Brochure • c. Set up Lactation Room • Mothers can breast feed infants at work

6. 4. Institutionalization: a.Two work-life surveys assess campus climate • Developed, distributed, and analyzed b. Collected institutional data through Provost’s Office • Track hiring, promotion, resources, pay, etc. c. Institutionalizing a Recruitment/Retention Center • Increase numbers and satisfaction of all faculty

7. 5. Summary - NSF Advance grant evinced: • Recruitment: Website, Manual, Dual-Career Guidelines • Retention: Parental Leave, Mentoring, Lactation Room • Institutionalization: Surveys, Institutional Data, Center • Goal/Outcome: Greater Satisfaction for All Faculty