Mission and Identity

The FSE female networking was originally established by Prof. Petra Rudolf (Physicist) and Prof. Ria Broer (Chemist). In February 2019, inspired by the USC WiSE program, Shirin Faraji and Anastasia Borschewsky initiated WISE at RUG. The WISE networking group provides an informal forum for female early career researchers working in STEM (PhDs, postdocs, and tenure trackers) to communicate about topics of mutual interest and to discuss issues and challenges related to their career. This will be done in an informal fashion and in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

The main activities of the group are:

• Providing an informal forum for discussion on issues that affect women’s careers

• Achieving good work-life balance in a competitive academic environment

• Sharing experience regarding various challenges of academic career, providing informal advice

• Discussions on managing family and children and an academic career

• Creating a social environment that facilitates the exchange of information

• Mentoring and coaching early career female scientists across departments

• Providing information on activities, funding opportunities, and initiatives

• Discussing scholarly work

• Increasing recognition and suggesting leadership opportunities

• Offering workshops, discussion rounds to improve and broaden scientific and soft skills (e.g. conflict management, identify personal strengths, etc…)

• Hands-on tutorials (e.g. CV and portfolio checks)