How Policy Shaped the Career of 100 Successful Women Scientists and Engineers

The first talk in this session will be given by Dr. Lynnette Madsen of the National Science Foundation. The sample set she discusses comes from her book, Successful Women Ceramic and Glass Scientists and Engineers: 100 Inspirational Profiles published by Wiley in 2016. It features accomplished contemporary women scientists from 29 countries, with just half of the women based in the USA. Madsen will elucidate what policies, practices and conventions impeded or facilitated their success. Conventions, norms and expectations; access to education; organization structures and hierarchy; parental leave; and international travel support are all highly influential factors. On a somber note she outlines the current remaining issues, but ends with an uplifting message where she provides suggestions for small changes that can significant make advances to women's acceptance and future in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.