Resources

Networking - So what's the point?

In their book 'It's not what you know, it's who you know. A guide to networking.' Dinah Bennett and Lucy Smout from Women into the Network say "Networking is an effective way of achieving your goals, meeting new people, finding out information, stimulating new ideas, checking out what's going on and identifying new opportunities. Networking can combat isolation, it boosts your own confidence, allows you to meet like minded people, access support and resources and meet inspirational role models." If you're a woman thinking about returning to work in SET and near to Cambridge, why not come along to a Cambridge AWiSE event? Our meetings are a great chance to find out new information, gain confidence and make new friends and professional contacts. If you are feeling a bit unsure about coming, email me first and we'll introduce you to some interesting friendly people! If you live further afield, look out for networks in your area, see our resources page for details of local, national and international networks.

UK Resource Centre for Women in SET

The UKRC was established in 2004 to deliver a substantial part of the Government's Strategy for Women in SET (2003). The aim of the UKRC is to increase the participation and position of women in science, engineering and technology. Its mission is to establish a dynamic centre that provides accessible, high quality information and advisory services to industry, academia, professional institutes, education and Research Councils within the SET and built environment professions, whilst supporting women entering, returning and progressing in SET careers. The website contains links to other groups, organisations and websites concerned with women in SET mainly in the UK and other associated interest groups. The Get SET Women database is an online listing of women qualified and/or working in science, engineering and technology. The database will give you access to information and opportunities to help you raise your profile, further your personal development and progress in your career as well as help improve the position of women in the sector. Opportunities include: CPD training, details of public body appointments, speaker and media opportunities, free media training, networking events, mentoring and opportunities to work with schools. The database can be searched online by journalists and event organisers. Sign up online at www.getsetwomen.org.uk.

The UKRC Return Scheme

Return is a new scheme from the UKRC that offers skilled women the opportunity to return to a career in science, engineering, technology or the built environment. Return offers free information and support services to help women return to SET. The UKRC provides information, referrals, access to refresher training, mentoring, networking and links with employers. The Open University and the UKRC have developed a new course to support women wishing to return to a SET career. The T161: Return to Science, Engineering and Technology course allows you to look at what you really want from work, blow the dust of your CV, make new contacts and revive existing ones, find out who is offering the type of work you want and achieve that all important work-life balance. The next course starts in October 2008 with registration closing on 19th September. The UKRC have a limited number of bursaries for women wishing to take the T161 Course. For more details, phone Sam Haynes on 01274 438910.

Daphne Jackson Trust Fellowships

The Daphne Jackson Trust arranges Fellowships throughout the UK, in university and industrial research laboratories, for qualified scientists, engineers and technologists returning to work after a career break. We enable returners to retrain and gain the latest knowledge and most up to date skills whilst undertaking a challenging research project. The Fellows are supported throughout their Fellowships and given all the encouragement and help to re-establish their professional confidence and credibility leading to significantly increased employability. Fellowships are flexible, paid, and usually part-time for two years. Fellows undertake a research project and retraining programme. Applications are welcomed throughout the year. If you would like any more information phone 01483 689166, email djmft@surrey.ac.uk or look at the website: www.daphnejackson.org.

Other Academic Grants and Fellowships

The Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship scheme offers a recognised first step into an independent research career for excellent scientists and engineers for whom career flexibility is essential. Fellows can hold the appointment on a part-time basis or convert from full-time to part-time and back again to help match work and other commitments such as parental or caring responsibilities, serious health issues etc. For details on eligibility and how to apply, see the website. The Leverhulme Trust, established at the wish of William Hesketh Lever, the first Viscount Leverhulme, makes awards for the support of research and education. The Trust emphasises individuals and encompasses all subject areas. The website, Research Councils UK, provides links to all eight UK Research Councils. Information on how to write a grant application can be found in this powerpoint presentation from Cambridge University.

The Year in Industry

The Year in Industry is an activity of The Engineering Development Trust whose aim is to help talented people achieve their full potential through work placements. They now have a new project designed to help address the severe skill shortage in SET industries and are offering short-term placements for Women Returners. These placements will give women the opportunity to update their existing skills and gain further experience. Have a look on their website or email returners@yini.org.uk.

Jobshare UK

Jobshare UK launched on the 17th September with the aim of offering quality flexible working and job share opportunities across the SET sectors.

Thinking about going back to University?

Information on all degree and post-graduate level courses available in the UK can be found on the HERO website. There's also information on academic research in the UK.

Mentoring

Cambridge AWiSE members can take advantage of the MentorSET women's mentoring scheme for free. Have a look on their website or on our Mentoring page for lots of reasons why mentoring could be useful to you. The UKRC also run both group and individual mentoring schemes for returners. Have a look on their return mentoring page for groups in your area.

Promoting SET careers to young Women

STEMNET aims to ensure that more young people in the UK choose science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related careers, and future generations are properly informed about the science and technology around them. The site also contains information on the Science and Engineering Ambassador Programme which gives individuals the opportunity to help schools inspire young people. This is an ideal way for women who have taken or are on a career break to start to rengage with science!

Networks and Organisations

Cambridge Network links Cambridge Business people and academics with the global high technology community. The website contains press releases, regional events and listings of high-tech jobs. The Women's Engineering Society promotes the education training and practice of engineering amoung women. BCSWomen provides networking opportunities and support for all women working in IT around the world. The Women in Physics Group of the Institute of Physics aims to support and encourage women physicists at all stages of their careers. womenintechnology is a leading on-line job board and networking group for women working in the IT profession. Portia is a not-for-profit organisation working towards better representation and involvement of women in science, engineering and technology (SET). The Equalitec: Advancing Women in ITEC project is a partnership of professional bodies, employers and organisations working towards a more equal representation and involvement of women in information technology, electronics and communications. Mums in Science aims to provide information to Mums who have the challenge of bringing up children and maintaining a career in science, whether full or part time, or outside mainstream science. Their website includes event's listing along with sources of information. Women into the Network is a business women's network in the North East of England. Their website has useful links for women starting their own business and great tips on networking.

Part-Time and Flexible Working Questionnaire

During the summer of 2004, Cambridge AWiSE ran a questionnaire to find out the experiences of women who worked part-time or had requested flexible working in SET fields in both industry and academia. A joint meeting was then held with the Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Initiative (WiSETI) at Cambridge University to explore the business case for gender diversity in industry and academia. The meeting was held in memory of Dr Joan Mason, a distinguished chemist and founding member and Chair of AWiSE. The resulting report shows that more could be done to encourage better management practices and policies which would enable more women to remain in scientific careers and progress further within them. It also showed that good practice from industry is readily transferable to other settings, including academia and SME's.