With a short-term, ‘zero sum’ mindset, advances for women in STEMM can seem like hindrances for men. We disagree. Systemic changes that benefit women will improve working conditions for everyone at higher education and research institutions and improve the capacity of our institutions to meet pressing societal challenges.

Women in STEMM can face a difficult path in academia; senior women leaders often face challenges associated with isolation and the novelty of breaking new ground. Being lied to or about by colleagues can make that path even more difficult and a tough job even harder. Senior women leaders have an opportunity to disrupt cultures of dishonesty and thereby improve academic environments.

As women in senior leadership positions in STEMM, we have had opportunities to support our colleagues and create positive change in our institutions. In this post, we celebrate the joys of leadership.

Women are actively promoting increased gender diversity in STEMM, but the engagement of male and non-binary allies is also needed, especially to increase effectiveness of senior women leaders.

Carla Koretsky, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University, talks candidly about the joys and challenges of being an academic leader, especially in difficult times.

This comment addresses the costs of gender-based discrimination and harassment to science and society. It calls for the implementation of measures at multiple levels, including at the level of academic institutions, government funders, and research funding agencies.

Terri Camesano, Dean of Graduate Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, recounts her career trajectory and offers advice to young women interested in pursuing academic leadership.

Many organizational websites are an excellent source of reports and other content relevant for women in STEMM academic leadership.

The final installment of a 3-part blog focusing on tips for senior women leaders in STEMM on organizing and chairing successful academic meetings. (AI-assisted graphic)

In this second part of the 3-part blog on academic meetings, we focus on the actual process of chairing successful academic meetings.

The calendars of senior academic leaders in STEMM are full of meetings. But a successful meeting requires careful preparation. This first part of a 3-part blog on organizing and chairing meetings gives advice on meeting preparation.

Do you have experience as a woman in STEMM academic leadership? Or have you started an initiative for women in STEMM that you would like to share with our readership?

Many leadership challenges are general, but some are specific to women in STEMM. In Epistimi’s programs, participants benefit from the expertise of female STEMM leaders.