About WISE

MISSION:

The Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Initiative is an integrated network of students, academics, and professionals in science and engineering, whose mission is to support, celebrate and advocate for women in science and engineering at McMaster University.

OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY:

To create a supportive network of female mentors, increase issue-specific education for students, and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and communication. To achieve our objective, WISE has been using a multifaceted approach, through:

Support:

• Networking and social events, faculty luncheons, mentor list
• Organizing professional development workshops, round table discussions.

Celebration:

• Hosting an annual multidisciplinary research meeting
• Awarding Best Poster and Oral Presentation prizes to four presenters
• Inviting two inspirational female keynote speakers at the meeting
• Movie nights showcasing women in science and engineering

Advocacy:

• Facilitating discussion with senior administrators regarding women in science and engineering
• Organizing women in science and engineering statistics at McMaster
• Attending national women in science and engineering conferences

HISTORY

The WISE Initiative was formed after a survey of female graduate students conducted during the summer of 2006 revealed a strong need for a forum at McMaster University in which female graduate students can identify, discuss, and learn about gender-related issues specific to their field of work and study. Under the initial leadership of 10 female graduate students from various science and engineering departments at McMaster University, the WISE Initiative began by offering biweekly science talks featuring women in science and engineering, as well as a round table conference, which has since evolved into our annual conference. Learn about our previous events.