GALS Mission Statement
GALS is an organization for graduate and post-graduate women in science at the University of Utah. Our mission is to provide women with the tools necessary for a fulfilling and successful career experience in science through networking, seminars, social events, and supportive mentoring.
Female scientists often face gender-specific issues and conflicts such as sexual harassment, timidity in salary negotiations, difficulty balancing family and career, and the “two-body problem” in academic hires. In addition, women are underrepresented in the highest-paying positions of academics (i.e. as principal investigators in research or as leaders of institutions).
GALS aims to provide advice and tools to achieve success and overcome challenges for female scientists early in their career. We host networking and informal mentoring opportunities with successful female scientists living and working in Utah across a variety of fields. Interactions with role models and support for dealing with the demands of a busy lifestyle will enable more women at the University of Utah to advance in their chosen field. Although GALS originated in biology, we encourage participation by women in all scientific fields, including chemistry, physics, anthropology, human genetics, mathematics, pathology, geology, atmospheric sciences, and the social sciences.
Female scientists often face gender-specific issues and conflicts such as sexual harassment, timidity in salary negotiations, difficulty balancing family and career, and the “two-body problem” in academic hires. In addition, women are underrepresented in the highest-paying positions of academics (i.e. as principal investigators in research or as leaders of institutions).
GALS aims to provide advice and tools to achieve success and overcome challenges for female scientists early in their career. We host networking and informal mentoring opportunities with successful female scientists living and working in Utah across a variety of fields. Interactions with role models and support for dealing with the demands of a busy lifestyle will enable more women at the University of Utah to advance in their chosen field. Although GALS originated in biology, we encourage participation by women in all scientific fields, including chemistry, physics, anthropology, human genetics, mathematics, pathology, geology, atmospheric sciences, and the social sciences.
Goals of GALS
- Serve as a venue for graduate and post-doctoral women in science at the University of Utah to connect, share problems and offer advice on the issues facing women in science.
- Facilitate networking with successful female scientists.
- Host workshops targeted towards development of specific career skills, including self-promotion, mentoring, goal-setting and stress management.
- Host a seminar series addressing specific topics related to gender and science. We will support one seminar each academic semester, with lectures followed by ample time for discussion with the invited guest. Topics may include negotiating, stress management, setting and reaching goals, professional interactions, and career opportunities.
- Host networking and informal social events to connect female scientists across campus and, potentially, with affiliates from other institutions.
- Encourage online social networking through the GALS Facebook group; members can organize independent events, share stories, post articles of interest, etc.
