Austria moves to phase two of women in science initiative
Austria is to continue its scheme for supporting women in science after a very successful five-year trial period. The 'Women in Research and Technology' (fFORTE) scheme succeeded in encouraging more women to study science, work at universities and in industry between 2002 and 2007. But with Austria still resting on the penultimate rung of the EU ladder in terms of women's employment in the technical sector, much more remains to be done. The scheme is supported by four ministries, meaning that the target group is varied, ranging from schoolchildren to researchers to businesses. Over the last five years, the proportion of women receiving a doctorate in technical, scientific or medical subjects has risen from 28% to 32%. fFORTE coaching sessions have provided information on bidding for EU project contracts and have been successful in increasing the participation of Austrian women in such projects. 'fFORTE has succeeded in making women an indispensable part of the Austrian science and research landscape. This awareness must now be built up still further,' says Professor Günther Bonn of Austria's Council for Research and Technology. The new phase will run from 2009 until 2012. One of the priorities will be to increase the number of women working at universities, at research institutes, and in industry. The women in these positions should also hold higher level jobs than is often the case currently. Other ongoing priorities include improving the science education of younger schoolchildren; increasing the number of women scientists representing Austria at international level; introducing gender mainstreaming to research structures and programmes; and raising awareness of women in science within universities, businesses and politics.
Countries
Austria