Scientists, engineers, technologists and medics at the University of Cambridge are invited to participate in the current Athena Survey of Science Engineering and Technology (ASSET), which is open until 10 November 2006.

All male and female scientists, engineers, medics and technologists, at all career stages, are eligible to take part. Its findings will provide a firm basis to understand and address differences between men and women’s career progression experiences, perceptions and ambitions.

The Athena Project was established in 1999 by the UK higher education funding councils, UniversitiesUK and the Office of Science and Technology in the Department of Trade and Industry. Its aims are the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in science, engineering and technology (SET) in higher education and research to achieve a significant increase in the number of women recruited to top posts.

The ASSET questionnaire takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. It will be possible to save part way through for completion later. It covers respondents’ current employment, career history, professional activities, career expectations, and experiences and perceptions of their working environment.

The last eight years have seen a slow but steady increase in the number of women pursuing careers in science, engineering and technology in the University of Cambridge, with women making up 48% of contract research staff and 25% of academic staff in the School of Biological Sciences, 27% of contract research staff and 11% of academic staff in the School of Physical Sciences, and 24% of contract research staff and 8% of academic staff in the School of Technology in 2005.

Although there are some promising signs, for example women comprise close to 40% of academic staff aged under 40 in the School of Biological Sciences, women continue to be under-represented in science, engineering and technology.

The Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Initiative (WiSETI) works to improve the recruitment, retention and promotion of women in SET in the University of Cambridge through a variety of measures, including the Annual Lecture by a distinguished woman scientist, facilitating networking and promoting good practice.

If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact Dr Esther Haines, WiSETI Project Officer at esther.haines@admin.cam.ac.uk.

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