Interdisciplinary Seminar:
Education for Employment, Economic Independence and Decision-making
Convener: Suhad Jarrar-Browne, Great Britain
Empowering Women Academics in a Global Society
Catherine Bandle and Jane Wilhelm, Swiss Association of University Women
The reasons why women find it difficult to reach high-level positions are not specific to scientists or other women academics. They apply to many fields and to top-level positions in business, politics, communications or the arts. The goal of this seminar is to examine the inner and outer barriers which prevent women - despite political and social measures designed to promote equity - to gain access to high-power jobs.
The cultural reasons why there are few women in the field of mathematics, for example, can be classified into five categories which will be examined in the light of an academic career at the University of Basle:
- social customs
- family customs
- customs in our educational system
- customs specific to mathematics
- the effects of these customs on individuals.
Not only do women have to deal with external obstacles, they often have to face inner psychological obstacles which prevent them from being successful in their job. Lack of confidence, a poor self-image and the absence of role models in their family background can prevent women from achieving full potential in their career. We will examine these internal reasons, and then present insights gained from interviewing two highly successful women in order to have better understanding of the psychology of success.
Catherine Bandle holds a PhD in mathematics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. After several international post-doctoral fellowships, she became Professor of Mathematics at the University of Basle (1975-2003). Since then she continues doing research in mathematics. She has been visiting professor in several European countries, the USA, Israel and Hong Kong.