Abstract:
In this paper we consider the role of women-only professional
development programmes, in the context of the evaluation of the first two years of a
women’s research development program at the University of New South Wales,
Sydney. WomenResearch 21 (WR21) is a professional development programme
designed to enable and encourage women academics at the start of their research
careers. Each cycle of the programme runs for twelve months and includes
seminars, informal support and networking, a research project, and the
opportunity to work with a research adviser. Over forty women from across all
faculties of the university participated in the programme in the first two years. The
programme also aimed to foster an increased understanding within the university
of the issues confronting women researchers. To what extent have we been
successful in achieving the programme’s aims? Participant evaluations of the first
two years indicate the programme has been very successful in supporting the
development of most participants. Our success in regard to the second aim of
contributing to institutional change is less clear. The paper concludes with a
discussion of the issues involved in shifting the focus of the programme from
individual professional development to using it as a vehicle for cultural change.
