Creating Positive Change in Science and Engineering Climates: A Case Study of Collaboration by Women Engineers

The national goal of creating positive change in academic climates includes creation of collaborative environments with diverse student and faculty representation in science and engineering programs. Through the ADVANCE program, the National Science Foundation has awarded nearly $80,000,000 dollars to 97 different U.S. academic institutions since the beginning of 2003 with an additional $10,000,000 in new awards anticipated in FY 2005 and 2006 to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers. Results of these efforts can be measured by diversity in the academic workforce and student numbers; however, studies show that although the ranks of women in graduate education are increasing, it is at a slow rate and retention of women faculty in science and engineering is low. The causes of these findings are only beginning to be understood. The focus of this paper is to discuss issues that may affect the interest of women in science and engineering education. This study addresses two main points: collaboration enhances the participation of women in research environments and there is value in gender-equitable environments that facilitate collaborative research. A case study involving collaborative research conducted by two PhD candidates in Civil & Environmental Engineering at the Utah Water Research Laboratory of Utah State University is presented as an illustration of a positive research environment. What is a positive research environment? It is one that is based both on successful scientific research results and the development of social connections between people