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Resources for Women Scientists

If one were to ask why women should be involved in science leadership, Professor and Vice Chair of Diversity & Inclusion of the Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology Department and Assistant Vice Provost for Health Equity at UMass Chan Medical School Dr. Mary Munson would respond:

“Beyond the fact that more than 50% of our trainees identify as women yet women are under-represented at the senior faculty and leadership levels? I could say a bunch of overgeneralized things about women having different leadership styles or about the importance of providing good role models for junior women scientists. One point that is sometimes overlooked is that women perform the majority of service work including DEI-related work aimed at making science more equitable. Not only do we need increased recognition and weight given to such service activities, but I really think science would be a more equitable place if women were better represented in leadership roles.”

We in the BMB department strive to recruit, empower and retain women scientists for these reasons and more.

In general, many inclusive and supportive resources can be found on the Diversity and Inclusion Office (DIO) website, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) website, or the Human Relations (HR) website. We have curated some relevant resources from these sources and others below:

The DIO supports a Professional Women’s Affinity Group to foster “cross-cultural collaboration, promote salary equity, and create synergies to encourage and foster professional and personal growth and development for women.” There is also a Committee by the same name that meets every other month.

The Office of Faculty Affairs, in conjunction with the Joy McCann Professorship Project, hosts an annual leadership development conference for women leaders and their mentors (EMPOWER).

The Office of Faculty Affairs supports the Women’s Faculty Committee which is dedicating to addressing “the needs of women faculty” and promoting “the status of women in the UMass Chan Medical School…system.”

The Department of Public Safety provides a free 12-hour RAD: Rape Aggression Defense course on campus.


External Resources: