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Women
in Technology and Science (WITS) was inaugurated in November
1990 to actively promote women in technology and science in Ireland.
The
association has members from a broad range of scientific, engineering
and technological backgrounds including teachers, computer experts,
technicians and journalists. WITS members range in age and experience
from third level students to some of the country's most senior
scientists and academics.
Individual
membership is open to women and men throughout Ireland who work, have
worked or who are studying in any area of science, engineering
or technology.
To view the latest WITS Newsletter
WITS WORDS WINTER 2008 - issue no. 48:
Click Here
Note, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this update, it can be downloaded
here
WITS AGM 2009
WITS is your independent organisation of Women in Technology and
Science in Ireland and your input is vital to the future of WITS!
Dear Members,
We are this year having our AGM in Belfast at the W5 science
exhibit. This is a great occasion for a day out to
Belfast for the AGM (1-1.5 hours max.). And for a visit
of the W5 exhibition after (we have a reduced rate to all people
interested)
Can you please RSVP by 5pm on the 3rd of
November, with the names?
It is important we get names of everyone coming asap as W5 need to
know prior to the event as the AGM is taking place within the
Exhibit.
If you want to come to the AGM only, attendance is free, but for
those who also want to visit the exhibit you need to be on the
list to avail of the reduced rate.
If you are planning on bring children could you please also notify
us asap so we can arrange child minding during the AGM.
The W5 award winning science and discovery centre is a great place
for people of all ages (www.w5online.co.uk)
Lastly, there will be people going up on the Friday evening and
making a night of it, if anyone is interested do let us know as we
are investigating hotels.
Those of you who would like to have a bus to go to Belfast on the
Saturday, could you please get back to us by asap so we can
arrange it.
Have a good weekend
Charlotte
Chairperson WITS
2009 WITS AGM is
to be held in
W5 Science Exhibit, Odyssey
2 Queen´s Quay
Belfast
Northern Ireland
on
Saturday 21st
November 2009
Click Here For 2009 AGENDA and
Further Information
The
WITS executive in response to a request for submissions from the
Innovation Taskforce has made the
following submission:
Wits Innovation Taskforce 2009 Submission
The Innovation Taskforce was established to advise the
Government on its Strategy for positioning Ireland as an
International Innovation Hub and to assist in making the Smart
Economy a reality.
Click Here to Read more about the Taskforce
Lab
Coats and Lace Launch
Note
from Wits Chairperson:
I would like to thank everyone who helped in making the
Lab Coats
and Lace book lunch at Dunsink Observatory last week such a great
success.
Lab Coats and Lace was launched by Professor Dervla Donnelly and
Professor Luke Drury from DIAS last Wednesday evening. There was
a great turn out of both WITS and non WITS members, of all ages.
One of our colleagues on the Executive Christian Field attended
the launch with her husband and two young boys, this was a family
history lesson as well, as her great grand father worked at the
observatory and her grand father was born there.
We were very lucky to have a guided tour of the observatory after
the launch including the south telescope as well as several other
telescopes which were made available on the grounds of the
observatory for everyone to see the clear skies with. We had some
great views of Saturn and one of it’s many moons Titan as well as
some great views of the moon.
This was a very successful event and there was a great buzz about
it, both with regards to the book launch and the observatory tour
thereafter, and it had a distinct family feel to it, with the
presence of the WITS family as well as children and husbands of
some of the scientists honored in the book in attendance. Lastly
but not least it was a great networking opportunity around a
lovely glass of wine and some finger food provided by
www.thetastingroom.ie.
Once again thank you to everyone who made the event such a success
Charlotte
WITS Chairperson
women in technology and science
Click Here to view the Lab
Coats and Lace Page
ONLINE NETWORKING FOR BUSINESS
MASTERCLASS
7 Keys To Nurturing Your Network Online To Increase Your
Visibility, Reputation And Business Success In 2009
Presenter: Krishna De
http://www.bizgrowthnews.com
Date: Sat 4 April, 2009
Time: 10am-10.30am Tea/coffee/registration
` 10.30am-12.30 Masterclass
12.30pm-1.30pm Lunch/networking
Cost (including reception): Free to Re-Enter
participants/mentors and paid up WITS members. £10
for non-WITS members/Re-Enter participants
Location: The Canal Court Hotel, Newry, Co Down, Northern
Ireland:
http://www.canalcourthotel.com/contactus.jsp?c=/contactus/gettingthere.jsp
Content:
Introduction to on-line networking (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter,
facebook, blogging etc); How it can be used to increase business
and/or manage your career;
Creating/protecting your on-line identity/brand
Click
here for more details
- Registration:
- Email the following
information to: wits@iol.ie
- Name:
- Membership status : WITS
member / Re-enter participant / Re-enter mentor / non-member
- Are you staying for lunch ?
yes / no
- Note : WITS 2009
Membership Renewal form available
Here:
National Women’s
Council of Ireland supports the Labour Party’s Electoral
(Gender Parity) Bill 2009
On this, the week of International Women’s Day, the National
Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) is highlighting the low numbers
of women in decision-making positions in Ireland and is calling on
all political parties to support the Labour Party’s Electoral
(Gender Parity) Bill 2009 which will be moved in the Dáil today,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009.
Click to read the full Press Release
WITS
Invites you to celebrate the launch of
"Lab Coats and Lace"
edited by Mary Mulvihill
Click to buy it on Amazon
at
Dunsink Observatory
on Wednesday 8th April 2009 at 7.30pm
Guest Speakers: Prof. Dervilla Donnelly and Prof. Luke Drury
for more details click
here:
The Lives and Legacies of Inspiring Irish Women Scientists and
Pioneers,
a companion volume to Stars, Shells
and Bluebells (1997).
Click Here to View Lab Coats and Lace
Project Page
Click Here to View
Press Release
Click Here to read The Irish Times Article
Click
Here to view Launch Speech on YouTube
Lab Coats and Lace now available to purchase on
Amazon
ONLINE
NETWORKING FOR BUSINESS MASTERCLASS
7 Keys To Nurturing Your Network Online To Increase Your
Visibility, Reputation And Business Success In 2009
Presenter: Krishna De
http://www.bizgrowthnews.com
Date: Sat 24 January 2009
Time : 10am -10.30am Tea/Coffee/registration
10.30am -12.30pm Masterclass
12.30 -1.30pm networking lunch
Cost (including lunch):
Free to Re-Enter participants and paid up WITS members
€55 for for non-WITS members/Re-Enter participants
For Detailed Information
Click Here:
Note : WITS 2009 Membership Renewal form available from
http://www.witsireland.com/2008Renewal%20Notice_LM.pdf
Location: Clarion Hotel, IFSC, Dublin 1
http://www.clariondublincity.com/contact.asp
NOTICE OF
AGM
Women in Technology & Science Ireland,
invite all members to attend our AGM
at
10.30am
(Registration 9.30)
on
November 22nd 2008
in
The Trinity Centre
Health Sciences Building
St James Hospital
Dublin
Limited parking is available – please see
here for maps and directions:
Prospective new members are welcome.
Click Here for More Details:
Commemorating the first woman
veterinary surgeon in Ireland or Britain
A commemorative plaque to Irish
woman Aleen Cust (1868-1937), the first woman recognised as
a veterinary surgeon in Ireland or Britain, was
unveiled at the site of her Co Roscommon surgery, on
Wednesday, November 12th last.
The plaque, organised by the National Committee Science &
Engineering Commemorative Plaques and WITS, has been
sponsored by
Veterinary Ireland and will be
unveiled by the organisation's current president, Ms Ciara
Feeney MVB.
The event is part of Science Week 2008.
Venue: Castlestrange House, Athleague,
Co Roscommon.
November 12th, 1 pm. All welcome.
Click to view
Article from the Roscommon Herald, 21st October 2008
Please support the Equality & Rights
Alliance campaign. (www.eracampaign.org)
Equality & Rights Alliance (ERA) is a newly-formed
coalition of over 40 civil society groups seeking to ensure the
promotion and enhancement of human rights, equality and social
justice in Ireland. The Alliance is chaired by Joanna McMinn,
Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland.
Lab Coats and Lace
Science Week
event:
Saturday, November 15,
All welcome, admission free
Irish Times coverage of Science Week Launch of Lab Coats and
Lace Book
Celebrating the lives and legacies of some inspiring Irish women
scientists and pioneers, including botanists and early geologists,
the fabulous Boole sisters, some rebel medical doctors, and a
chemist who was, literally, the stuff of diamonds. Six short
talks.
Speakers: Éanna Ní Lamhna, Dr Patrick Wyse Jackson, Anne Mac
Lellan, Dr Peter Childs, Clara Cullen, Prof Des MacHale.
WITS in association with the National Botanic Gardens.
Visitor Centre, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Saturday, November 15, 2.30-4.30 p.m.
Adm free, all welcome.
Lab Coats and Lace, biographies of inspiring Irish
women scientists and pioneers, will be published later in 2008 by
WITS. A companion volume to
Stars, Shells and Bluebells
(1997), the book is generously supported by the Department of
Education & Science and Discover Science & Engineering (DSE), and
a copy will be sent to every secondary school in the country.
Mentors Wanted!
WITS | Re-Enter programme is looking to
recruit mentors for the next phase of the programme.
WITS | Re-enter pilot programme was
launched in February 2008. To date 20 women have successfully
completed the first phase of the programme – the Open
University – Return to Science, Engineering and Technology
Course (T161). The 20 women exited the OU course with an up to
date CV and an Action Plan! They are now ready to start
implementing their Action Plan and WITS are looking to recruit
20 voluntary mentors to support the women on this exciting
journey.
Mentoring is a key element of the process
to facilitate and support the women to return to a career in
SET. As a mentor you will provide guidance and support to the
women, you will act as a confidant and provide feedback to
assist the women achieve their vision of returning to a
career.
We are looking for
mentors from all sectors and parts of the island!
Click Here if you would like to learn
more:
Or View the
following pdfs:
Re-Enter
Mentoring Roles & Responsibilities
Re-Enter Mentoring Q&A
Re-Enter Mentor
Selection Criteria
Re-Enter Mentor
Application Form
Re-Enter Featured in Environews from the ESAI (page 8)
-------------
The Re-Enter
programme successfully recruited 20 participants for this
pilot programme in a series of workshops in 4 centres across
the country (Dublin, Cork, Belfast and Galway). The quality of
the applicants were outstanding and the programme was
oversubscribed.
The 20 successful participants started the programme on 29
April with a Kick-off Tutorial held in Tallaght Institute of
technology which introduced them to the OU T161 - Return to
science, engineering and technology online course which runs
for 10 weeks from 1 May 2008.
The Re-enter
programme would like to thank all the WITS members who kindly
supported us in getting to this significant milestone of the
programme.
For more details on the programme
please Click Here:
-----------
The programme is co-funded by cross-border trade and business
development body InterTradeIreland.
For more information, please visit:
www.intertradeireland.com
For more details
click here:
Click to view the
Re-Enter Brochure
Unveiling of Placque to Anne Jellicoe - Educationalist
by the Minister of Education & Science Ms Mary Hanafin
 on
March 6th last.
Today it is Buswell's Hotel, but in 1861 it was home to the
Queen's Institute, the first technical training college for women
in Ireland or Britain.
In recognition, a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the hotel
today [Thursday, March 6], remembering Mrs Anne Jellicoe, the
institute's prime mover, who also campaigned for women's right to
a university education and established Alexandra College for
girls, which still survives. The plaque was unveiled by Minister
for Education & Science, Mary Hanafin.
Click here to read
the Press Release
(click here to
view the invite)
The WITS AGM 2008
is to be held on
22nd
November 2008 - details to be confimed.
The Science of Beauty
- Industry Panel Discussion
· Dr
Raniero De Stasio, Scientific Director, L'Oréal UK
· Dr Chris Gummer, Sense about Science
· Ms Vanessa Hyde, Quality Assurance Director, Shandon
Clinic
15th November 2007 – Royal College of Physicians, No. 6 Kildare Street,
Dublin 2: 18:30–20:00pm
This event brings together some leading
scientists in the field of cosmetic science to reveal the effort
that goes into developing cosmetic products.
To read more
click here:
Science of Forensic Investigation
Dr Sheila
Willis – Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory
16th November 2007 – National Museum of Ireland, Kildare
Street: 12:30–14:00pm
Dr. Sheila
Willis is Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, a position
she has held since 2002. Prior to that, she was Deputy Director
and Head of the Chemistry Section. She completed her undergraduate
degree in UCD where she also carried out her PhD research on
organometallic chemistry under the supervision of Professor A.R.
Manning. She was recently chair of the European Academy of
Forensic Science and has been active in the European Network of
Forensic Science Institutes since its inception.
To read more
click here:
WISER WORKFORCES
An all-island pilot project for Women in Science and Engineering
to Re-enter the Workforce
InterTrade Ireland recently approved funding for an all-Island
WITS project proposal for 2 year funding to adapt and pilot an
existing on-line training, mentoring and placement programme to
support Women in Science and Engineering to Re-entry to the
Workforce.
As part of
this pilot educational and mentoring project, WITS will identify,
re-train and support technically qualified women to return the
workforce following career breaks. Specifically, the ‘T160’
programme developed by the Open University in Great Britain will
be adapted to an all-island programme in Ireland. We will then
integrate this project into regional and sector-specific
‘mentorships’ with WITS members, regional partners and companies.
To read more
click here:
WITS is currently advertising for
the position of Project Manager for this initiative - to view the
advertisement click here:
WITS
Wine Tasting Lunch POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Due to requests from WITS members the WITS wine tasting lunch due
to be held on Saturday,
18th of August at One Pico Restaurant has been postponed
until the Autumn as many members were unable to attend due to the
holiday season. To register your interest in attending the
tasting, once we set a new date, please contact:
wits@iol.ie
SFI tackles Science 'Gender Imbalance'
According to the CAO, girls represent just 15 percent of
students on four-year engineering degree courses, despite the fact
that more girls than boys take Leaving Certificate science
subjects. Science Foundation Ireland is attempting to address this
imbalance through initiatives such as the SFI/Dell Young
Women in Engineering Scholarships. The inaugural
scholarships were announced on 14 November last and the scheme has
proven so successful that the 2007 awards are now taking
applications.
Click To Read On (courtesy of ENN)
Click to read SFI Press Release
Stars Shells and Bluebells
Due to repeated requests for copies, WITS plans to revise and re-issue the book Stars, Shells & Bluebells first published in 1997 to celebrate the lives & achievements of a selection of women who made historic contributions to science in Ireland. A sub-committee has now been formed to produce a new expanded edition. Many thanks to WITS members for all your suggestions of the women to be profiled.
Click here for more
If your PC can play sound files - why not click Here to listen to Quantum, the new
Science programme on RTE Radio 1 with WITS member - Mary Mulvihill.
Click Here
Talent Bank directory and CD-Rom - This directory contains profiles of over 150 experienced and talented women scientists and technologists who have put their name forward to serve on State boards and councils. The aim is to ensure more women take a seat at the table and have a say in decision and policy making in Ireland. For more information on the project and the launch
Click here.
"Jobs For The Girls" : our career guidance CD-ROM, with profiles of 40 Role Model women, with careers in science, engineering and
technology.
To view the profiles click here
NOTE You must have Macromedia Flash installed on your computer for the Role Model Profiles to load correctly. To download Flash click Here
WITS is delighted that Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, has agreed to be our Patron.
If you would like to encourage your friends or colleages to join WITS Ireland please add the following to your email signature file -
Join Wits Ireland, Ireland's leading organisation promoting women
in Technology and Science. Click on this Link
Among our Corporate Sponsors are the following:
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