The LMS launched its report Advancing women in mathematics: good practice in UK university departments at the House of Commons on 27th February.
The event was hosted by Andrew Miller MP, Dr Julian Huppert MP and Stephen Metcalfe MP, with guest speaker Margaret Wright of the Courant Institute, New York University and Chair of the International Review of Mathematical Sciences 2010.
The LMS is concerned about the loss of women from mathematics, particularly at the higher levels of research and teaching, and at the missed opportunities that this represents. Through its Women in Mathematics Committee it established a Good Practice Scheme and supporting departments participated in a benchmarking survey which led to this report.
Although similar surveys have been carried out for other disciplines, this is the first such survey undertaken within mathematics departments. The report provides insight into areas of good practice as well as areas for further development.
The report also provides valuable data on the proportions of women at each career stage. It shows that a surprisingly small proportion of women in the UK go on from an undergraduate degree in mathematics to study for a PhD in mathematics and that, of those women who achieve positions as university lecturers, worryingly few are promoted to professor, with many being engaged on teaching only contracts. This data enables each department to benchmark itself against the national picture and will assist both departments and the LMS to target actions appropriately.
The report is now available here
If you would like a printed copy of the report please contact Dr John Johnston, LMS Communications Officer at john.johnston@lms.ac.uk
Here are some recent photographs from the House of Commons launch (please click on image below for slideshow)
Submitted by Donald Eastwood on
