A core priority in the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute’s (AMSI) Vision for a Maths Future, gender equity remains a key challenge across the Australian mathematical sciences.
AMSI Director, Professor Geoff Prince, says the issue’s complexity and systemic impact means a range of measures will be needed to drive change. This week’s announcement that the University of Melbourne will recruit for women only maths positions is one such example.
“University departments should be more than a collection of individuals, rather an effective and functional community of scholars. The approach taken by the University of Melbourne reflects the specific needs and challenges within their school, specifically the need for a greater female presence,” says Professor Prince.
As Australia’s national peak body for the mathematical sciences, AMSI is working to rewrite gender narratives within the discipline. In addition to regular women in maths events, the institute is addressing the issue through Choose Maths, its $22 million partnership program with BHP Billiton Foundation. A core focus of its four components, the program will tackle the challenges facing women in mathematics across the pipeline though the Inspiring Women in Maths Network and Women in Maths Career Awareness Campaign, as well as the Choose Maths Awards and Choose Maths Awards day, which recognise successful teachers who mentor women into matheamtics.
“We want to empower women and girls to engage with mathematics at all levels from the classroom through to higher education, research and innovation. We want to grow the number of women in mathematics and by extension STEM.
Appointment of women in high-level academic roles remains a significant challenge for mathematics nationally. While there has been some progress such as the expanded number of female mathematics professors at the University of Sydney, AMSI is urging universities to proactively address this issue.
“Currently women account for a little over nine per cent of mathematics professorships in Australia. While these figures show there has been some growth in female participation, they should be seen by Australian universities as a call to action,” says Professor Prince.
Resources for media
Vision for a Maths Nation
Discipline Profile of the Mathematical Science
Choose Maths
For Interview: Professor Geoff Prince
Media Contact: Laura Watson
E: media@amsi.org.au
P: 04215 18733
