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National Science Foundation (NSF) Reports at 2015 Annual AAAS Meeting in California
At the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) February 12-16, 2015 in San Jose, California, National Science Foundation (NSF) staff and NSF-funded investigators will present results and insights representing the full scope of science, from graduate education to the biochemistry of extremophiles. One of the world's best-known scientific gatherings, the AAAS meeting this year has as its theme, "Innovation, Information, and Imaging." Below is a sampling of sessions organized by, or featuring, NSF staff and NSF-funded scientists, that address breakthroughs in basic research as well as the policies and priorities that shape the scientific enterprise.
Gender in STEM Policy, Practice, and Research: Advances in North America and Europe
Women remain underrepresented in science and engineering, and tend to earn less than men in similar science and engineering jobs. Reducing the gender gap--by both encouraging gender equality and applying a better understanding of gender issues to research--is a priority of governments worldwide.
When it comes to gender considerations in STEM, "we're at a transformative moment," said Wanda E. Ward, head of NSF's Office of International and Integrative Activities. She led a session at AAAS on the role of gender in STEM policy, practice, and research. It specifically focused on advances in Europe and North America--including the roadmap for action developed after 2013's Gender Summit 3, which was hosted by NSF in partnership with other funding agencies in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
"NSF and our sister agencies across the world are committed to integrating and leveraging the gender dimension into the scientific community and scientific research itself," said Ward.