Dear Readers,

The European Platform of Women Scientists EPWS cordially invites you to the First EPWS Annual Conference 2008 “Women Shaping Science”, organised in collaboration with BASNET, the Baltic States Network: Women in Sciences and High Technology, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 5-7 June 2008.

The participation of women in science and their impact on research has been growing in recent decades. Women are increasingly involved in shaping the scientific agenda as researchers, academic teachers, science policy makers, administrators of universities and research funding institutions. What is this impact? What difference do they make?

With the support of the European Commission, networks of women scientists across Europe and across disciplines have joined forces and created the European Platform of Women Scientists. EPWS offers a vibrant forum for sharing experiences and knowledge, and envisioning new tools and directions for change towards gender equality in science and research policy – an aim that is in keeping with the goals of the Lisbon Agenda of the European Union.

The conference will explore and highlight the current and future impact of women scientists on the scientific community, in the policy making process, and in reflecting social aspects of science. Particular attention will be paid to the contribution and situation of women scientists from the Baltic States. Prominent keynote speakers will address core questions such as the relative progress and continuing contradictions regarding women and science. The conference will be a lively market place of networks, ideas, and partnerships. Women scientists will have the opportunity to present their work both through participating in topical sessions and/or through a poster exhibition highlighting research conducted at EU level.


EPWS cordially invites you to submit your proposals for sessions and for the presentation of posters. Please find more detailed information below:


Proposals for sessions

EPWS greatly appreciates your proposals for the content and the organisation of sessions.

• Suggested topics for sessions include:

- Gender and research careers
- Gendering of disciplines
- The role of networks in the national policy debate
- Gender mainstreaming in research organisations
- Women and science in the Central and Eastern Europe
- Women in research leadership
- Young women in science
- Gender and medicine

• EPWS-organised sessions include:

- Nano2Life – a success story
- Mentoring
- Women in Industrial Research

Please note that proposers of selected sessions will be fully responsible for the organisation of their session, including the identifying and invitation of speakers. If needed, limited funds will be available for speakers’ travel and accommodation costs. For further information on application for financial support see the conference website at www.epws.org.


Proposals for posters

EPWS greatly appreciates your proposals for posters on:

- EU funded (research) projects headed/ managed/ coordinated by women scientists from all over Europe
- Key EU women and science projects
- Successful Gender Action Plans (GAPs)
- EPWS member networks and other national/regional/Europe-wide networks of women scientists or promoting women scientists, including those in process of creation


Submission of abstracts for sessions and posters

Please send your abstract (around 250 words) using the respective application forms in attachment to conference2008(at)epws.org by 8 March 2008.

Those responsible for selected proposals will be notified by 25 March 2008.

The abstracts of sessions and posters will be published in the conference booklet.

Should you have any questions, please contact the EPWS Secretariat at conference2008(at)epws.org.

The Preliminary Programme will be available on the EPWS website shortly.


We are very much looking forward to your active participation in the conference and to seeing you in Vilnius!


Best regards,

Adelina Huminic-Orzu

Project Manager Information
European Platform of Women Scientists EPWS

Rue d'Arlon 38
B-1000 Brussels
Tel +32 2 234 37 52
Fax +32 2 234 37 59
www.epws.org