Upcoming Events

We are excited to announce our spring 2017 workshop!!

Communication and Negotiation Workshop for Women
Workshop leader:  Dr. Pearl Sandick, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Date:  Thursday, April 13th
Time:  5:30 - 7:30pm
Place:  TBBC 2429

RSVP is REQUIRED!  Please email utahgals@gmail.com to confirm your spot by Tuesday, April 11th.

This workshop focuses on professional skills that students and postdocs need to effectively perform research, including:
  • Negotiating a position in academia, industry, or a national lab
  • Interacting positively on teams and with a mentor or advisor
  • Thinking tactically and articulating goals
  • Enhancing personal presence and developing alliances
This is a highly interactive workshop where participants are invited to bring examples of difficult professional situations to discuss.  Free pizza and drinks will be supplied by GALS and Women in Physics & Astronomy (WomPA)!

Dr. Pearl Sandick is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Utah. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 2008 and was a postdoctoral fellow in the Theory Group at the University of Texas at Austin before moving to Utah in 2011. Professor Sandick is a theoretical particle physicist studying physics beyond the Standard Model, including supersymmetric theories and possible explanations for the dark matter in the Universe. In addition to her research, she’s passionate about teaching, mentoring students, and making science accessible and interesting to non-scientists. Professor Sandick currently serves on the American Physical Society Committee on the Status of Women in Physics, and is a founder and faculty sponsor of the University of Utah Women in Physics and Astronomy (WomPA).

Previous Campus-wide Events

  • ​​April 2016. Women in Science Happy Hour.
​​A social event for mingling and networking with other women in science!  Organized in collaboration with the Earth Science Women's Network (ESWN: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6176028565/).
  • April 2016. Improv for Scientists! 
        Do you ever wish you were better at thinking on your feet and answering questions spontaneously? This workshop will teach you some of the skills that improvisational actors and comedians use to communicate effectively and engage their audiences more fully. These techniques will help you gain more skill and confidence as a science communicator in such situations as presenting at and attending conferences, teaching students, defending your thesis/dissertation, or simply explaining their research to people in and outside your field. 
            o   Maura Hahnenberger, Assistant Professor, Geosciences Department, Salt Lake Community College
  • ​​November 2015. Gender, Science and Myths of Merit.       
        Special presentation and discussion about bias in the evaluation of scholarship and its impact on the representation of
​        women in science.  Organized in collaboration with the Department of Biology, Graduate Student Invited Speaker.
            o   Marlene Zuk, Professor, Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota
  • September 2015. Workplace Conflict. 
        Knowing where to turn when conflict arises within the workplace is not always easy. This workshop is designed to
        provide information about the resources available on campus, and appropriate ways to handle workplace conflict.
             o   Mary Anne Berzins, Associate VP of Human Resources​
  • December 2014. Networking and Mentoring.
    Both networking and mentoring are "soft skills" that are essential to a successful scientific career, yet we rarely receive formal training in how to build and maintain a network of relevant contacts, identify mentors within that network and make the most of the relationship with you mentor(s).
          o   Mentoring Leader: Mary Anne Berzins, Associate VP of Human Resources​
              o   Networking Leader: Francine Mahak, Career Counselor for Graduate Students in Science and Engineering
  • February 2014. Conflict Styles & Resolution.
    In this workshop, we explored the nature of conflict and how the need to be right undermines effective performance, identified ways to address conflict and skills to help detach as a listener and manage the conflict. We completed the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument to gain an understanding of our own and other conflict-handling styles. 
          o   Workshop Leader: Mary Anne Berzins, Associate VP of Human Resources
  • October 2013. Women in Science Impostor Panel.  
    "Imposter syndrome" is a common, yet typically unacknowledged condition where successful people have difficulties believing in their own accomplishments. The panel provided an opportunity for audience members to see that they are not alone in having “imposter” fears and to hear how the panelists have coped with challenges in self-confidence. Panelists included:
         o   Brenda Bowen, Associate Director of the GCSC, Research Associate Professor of Geology
         o   Lesley Chesson, Analytical Chemist,  President-elect of Isoforensics
         o   Cynthia Furse, Associate Vice President for Research and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
         o   Beth Buck-Koehntop, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
         o   Patrice Kurnath, Ph.D. Candidate in Biology

Past Seminar Speakers

  • February 2016. Seminar and discussion led by Krista Pickens, Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action, Title IX Coordinator and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator
  • January 2015. Seminar: "Rocket Science is Just Cool."  Dr. Janica Cheney, Ph.D., Acting Director of Safety & Mission Assurance and Launch Systems Manager at ATK Aerospace Systems 
  • October 2014. Seminar: "Crafting a career in scientific animation." Dr. Janet Iwasa, Research Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
  • March 2014. Seminar: "Science & Place: finding oneself in an interdisciplinary landscape." Dr. Sarah Jack Hinners, Ph.D., Acting Director of the Ecological Planning Center