Lucas Family Women in Science Distinguished Scholar

Illustrated Women on backdrop. Text: Lucas Women in Science Distinguished Scholar - Apply Today.

This Distinguished Scholar position would develop and oversee initiatives in the Faculty of Science to recognize, encourage and promote women in science. The incumbent would provide thought leadership to develop and execute a plan to increase women in science in underrepresented disciplines and work across campus with other faculties/clubs related to women in science, STEM, etc. This Scholar would also examine current issues facing women faculty and graduate students and develop initiatives to address identified issues.

Applications are due on Friday, March 26, 2021, at 4:30 pm (EST)

Please send completed applications in confidence to Peter Vink at pvink2@uwo.ca
The appointment of the Lucas Women in Science Distinguished Scholar will be effective July 1, 2021, until June 30, 2024

Details & Eligibiility

  • Open to any full-time faculty member in the Faculty of Science (limited-term, probationary or tenured).
  • A selection committee in the Faculty of Science will be responsible for choosing the Scholar from a pool of applicants.
  • This selection committee is comprised of faculty, staff and students.
  • The applicants would produce a CV and a 2-5 page proposal of what they want to accomplish during their 3-year term.
  • The workload associated with developing and delivering these new activities would be part of the service workload of the members and would either displace existing service workload (involving a discussion with your chair) or, if sufficiently large, constitute grounds for an alternative workload arrangement (involving a discussion with your chair and the dean) for all or part of the term of the scholar.
  • The funding for the fellowship will be as follows:
    • $225,000 total donation
    • Expendable fund which would be allocated in the following way: 1) $25,000 a year with a term of 3 years allowing 3 people to hold the position over a 9-year period. 2) The funding would be utilized for initiatives related to the mandate of the Scholar.

Proposed Activities

Proposed activities of the Scholar: (not limited to this list as the incumbent would set out a vision for the position)

  • Thought leadership around women in science issues.
  • Determining key issues facing women in science-related fields.
  • Coordinate Women in Science activities across science and campus.
  • Provide mentorship to young women in science.
  • Identify unique issues surrounding female faculty and graduate students.
  • Oversee the donor fund for the duration of their term
  • Host events, panels, keynote lectures, etc.
  • Focus on unrepresented areas in the Faculty.

Reporting & Outcomes

  • At the conclusion of the 3-year term, the Scholar would present their outcomes to Faculty Council. (this is a meeting held 3 times a year for all Faculty of Science Faculty and staff)
  • The Scholar would provide a stewardship report to the donors annually.
  • The Director of Development in the Faculty of Science would work with the Scholar on the report.

Proposed outcomes:

  • Increase female representation/pipeline into Science
  • Work with other Western Women in Science/technology/STEM/engineering clubs to coordinate events/programs.
  • Address some of the issues surrounding the retention of women faculty, graduate students.