The Artemis Project
The Artemis Project is producing resources and support for female academics to unlock their full potential, be that demonstrated through leading large grants, getting into the top jobs, or changing the world through their research contributions.
In addition to the large grant critical friend and interview support we've been successfully offering for years we're now adding original research, think pieces and bespoke support for those who want to be up to big things in their life, but are feeling stuck at any career stage!
We know that in the UK (and globally) we have a leaky pipeline problem, especially in sciences and engineering (though all the tools you'll find here are discipline agnostic!) i.e. as researchers move through their careers, many of them into more senior roles, the balance becomes more and more male. Women start out on par with their male counterparts, but as they move through their careers they aren't applying for, and/or aren't as successful in securing: promotions, large grants, and other traditional metrics of academic achievement. Meaning the balance gradually shifts more and more male as the career ladder is climbed.
This is a major problem for research and humanity as a whole, not just the individuals who aren't fulfilling their true potential, because we're loosing out on so much talent and innovation.
Has this situation come about because women are deficient in some way, and therefore need fixing? Perhaps all they need to do is pull themselves together and get on with it...? NO! Studies very clearly point to bias leading to differential experiences; with intersectionality as a compounding factor. Many have been working to address these biases, but progress has been slow and therefore this generation (and most likely at least also the next) still face barriers that male peers don't. One day this project will be redundant, until then, it is here to offer support to those who are impacted by these biases and barriers!
The project consists of original research, as much publicly accessible free support as I can produce in my 20% FTE that RiF (the company I founded in 2012) is funding + spare time, and some longer-term, more in-depth bespoke support for individuals and groups (charged because it is bespoke for individuals and their organisations!) to help overcome specific individual barriers, at least in part within your control.
You can read more about the barriers holding women back, and therefore why this project is needed here.
Why call it Artemis?
Artemis is the Greek goddess of the hunt (grants analogy?), protector of the wilderness, goddess of childbirth (that's got to be another grants analogy, anyone ever felt 10 months pregnant with an idea before it's submitted as a proposal??) and protector of children, particularly younger women.
For those who I haven't met yet, yes that's me in the photo above. In the process of shooting my first MasterBowman classification level score. I'm also an ArcheryGB Target Archery Coach in my spare time ;-)
The Plan
The Artemis Project currently consists of 6 major themes. We'll be conducting original solo and collaborative research, to complement the work already out there, in building understanding of how to shift the barriers currently holding female academics back.
Female early career researchers (ECRs) have told us that they need real life, practical, specific guidance to help them navigate an academic research life. We'll use our network of high achieving, senior female research leaders to anonymously answer all your would be too embarrassed to ask a colleague questions. We'll do this completely anonymously, particularly so that we can ask things like methods for optimising both home and professional lives, which comes up time and time again.
Fear not everyone who isn't female! We need your help too! We know there are great examples of magnificent work/home balance so we need your experiences too. Please volunteer your learning as a detailed case study!
On the topic of anyone who isn't female. None of what is produced as part of our public contributions will be restricted i.e. exactly the same as for our grant application support services, training, blog posts, etc. Whoever you are, you're very welcome to browse, read, use, and contribute, because this isn't a women's problem to solve, this is an issue for everyone so we need everyone's help, and in return we invite anyone who can benefit from this growing body of work to use it to support their goals!
Whenever issues typically faced by a population are mentioned, (as we know as a sector driven by evidence!) that doesn't mean everyone in that population experiences the same thing, nor does it mean anyone not in the population doesn't experience those things! Hence making everything open to all, whilst focused on issues most frequently cited by female academics within this project.
Get support:
The purpose of the overall project is to provide a wide range of resource that shifts the elements within culture that is causing this leaky pipeline. As part of the overall vision for the change Artemis will underpin, we offer coaching to support individuals, either working with us 1:1, or as part of a group coaching activity. Our coaching focuses on identifying, then shifting barriers (or succeeding in spite of!), at least partially within participants' control. Often these start as invisible internal barriers which form as a result of external culture. Such barriers can cause repeated patterns that hold individuals (particularly women) back. Our coaching makes these barriers visible, and supports clients to dismantle them, unlocking their full potential!
This work is informed by our own research and 25+ years supporting researchers, in addition to the PhD research and subsequent professional work of Dr Claire Zammit, now encapsulated within the services and training offered by the Institute for Women Centred Coaching (IWCC). You can read more about the coaching, with links to the specific support available, and underpinning approach here.
Where next?
Not quite ready to be coached/for a course?
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