Why join AWIS?

What is the aim of AWIS? Aren’t there loads of women scientists now?

About 45% of people working in STEM in New Zealand are women, and that’s great! But throughout science in New Zealand, women are under-represented at senior levels, with far fewer female professors, principal scientists and R&D managers than male ones. Salaries are lower for women at the same level of employment as male colleagues in STEM. Women are also significantly under-representated in some sectors like physical sciences, down to as low as 20% in some areas. None of this is easy to fix, but if we’re aware of it, we can try to address these imbalances.

I'm not a lab scientist, am I welcome?

Yes! Anyone working in the sciences (health, physical sciences and engineering, maths, life sciences etc. etc.) is welcome.

What are the benefits of becoming a member?

The benefits to you include regular events and the opportunity to hear different approaches and perspectives from women in the sciences, as well as access to the member secton of our website, with a member directory and other members only content. We also offer member rates to paid events. 

The benefits to everyone else are showing your support for women in science and enabling AWIS to continue its advocacy and representation. You may also be able to help someone else, through mentoring, or just being there and visible!

What networking opportunities are there? 

A number of our national events are held online, but regional groups do offer some in-person events throughout the year. Many of these are meet-ups before another event, for example if there is a science film in the film festival or female science author at the writers' festival. There can also be drinks in a local pub, or presentations and panel discussions.

Every three years we hold a national conference.

Check out the Events page to see what's coming up. 

What advocacy does the organisation do? 

We put submissions into Government when there’s a relevant consultation on policy or legislation that directly impacts women in the sciences, and we showcase women in science via our activities. We also share data and research related to women in the sciences.