WIMSIG

The Women in Mathematics Special Interest Group (WIMSIG) has been an active special interest group of the Australian Mathematical Society since early 2013.

The group aims to support women, trans people, and people of diverse genders in the mathematical sciences in Australia. Specifically, WIMSIG aims to:

support women, trans and gender-diverse people to achieve their potential in all areas of mathematics;
facilitate the recruitment and retention of women, trans and gender-diverse people in mathematical careers;
encourage women, trans and gender-diverse people to have active careers in the mathematical sciences;
advocate for gender equity and inclusion in the mathematical sciences.

View Formal Rules

A Short History of WIMSIG

During the AustMS Annual Meeting in 2011, at a Women in Maths lunch, it was decided that a new Special Interest Group for women in mathematics should be formed. In September 2012, the Women in Mathematics Special Interest Group (WIMSIG) was formally admitted as a Special Interest Group of the AustMS, and the first Executive Committee was announced in February 2013. Since then, WIMSIG has held many networking events and two major conferences; set up and administered travel and carers grant schemes; kept in touch with members and friends via the WIMSIG newsletter, webpages and X (Twitter) account; as well as many other activities. The aims of WIMSIG were reworded in 2021 to encompass all genders that are underrepresented in the mathematical sciences.

Resources

For a list of useful resources, including articles, webpages and videos related to gender bias/equity in the Sciences, see the WIMSIG Resources page.

View WIMSIG Resources

WIMSIG Mentoring Program

In response to the strong desire expressed by WIMSIG members via our 2017 survey for a mentoring program, WIMSIG launched a Pilot Mentoring Program in 2020. Following the success of the pilot program, another program was offered during 2021-2024. WIMSIG is excited to announce the launch of our mentoring program again in 2025! This will run from May to December. Further information, along with registration forms for prospective mentees and mentors, is provided below.

Mentoring

Participants

Mentors can be Friends or Members of WIMSIG of any gender.
Mentees should be Members of WIMSIG and identify as women or nonbinary.

(See WIMSIG Rules of Procedure — Items 5 and 6.)

Objectives

To assist women and nonbinary members to find a mentor suited to their desires and needs.
To facilitate the establishment of a mentoring agreement between each mentor and mentee.
To facilitate mentee-mentor relationships for a duration of up to one year.
To create a safe and supportive environment for mentors and mentees that complies with the AustMS Code of Conduct.
To create, and strengthen existing, professional networks for female and nonbinary members of WIMSIG.

Structure and Timeline

Expressions of interest by prospective mentors and mentees: March 1 — April 15.
Pairing of mentors and mentees by the WIMSIG Mentor Committee: April 17 — May 1.
Mentors and mentees notified by WIMSIG of their pairings: Early May.
Initial survey to be completed by mentors and mentees: July/August.
Close of scheme and completion of final survey by all mentors and mentees: Next January/February.

WIMSIG strongly encourages mentors and mentees to stay in touch but will have no further involvement.

No-Fault Exit

Should either party (mentee or mentor) feel a mentoring relationship is not working properly, they may end the mentoring relationship. No blame is to be attributed to either party. This allows sensitive issues (clash of values, mentor inexperience, mentee non-commitment) to be addressed positively and without in-depth explanation. WIMSIG should be advised of the cessation of a mentoring relationship. In this event, a mentee may request that another mentor be assigned, although this is not guaranteed.

Mentoring Surveys

Initial and completion surveys will be sent to both mentors and mentees.
The aim of the Initial Survey (July/August) will be to check on progress and identify any issues that may need addressing. If not completed WIMSIG will deem that the mentoring arrangement is working successfully.
The aim of the Completion Survey (January/February) will be to gauge the success of the pilot scheme and identify improvements and problems.

Expression of Interest — Prospective Mentees

Participation in the pilot mentoring scheme as a mentee requires that you:

Read the Expectations of Mentees.
Complete the Mentee Expression of Interest form.

Expression of Interest — Prospective Mentors

Participation in the pilot mentoring scheme as a mentor requires that you:

Read the Expectation of Mentors.
Complete the Mentor Expression of Interest form.

Program Committee

A/Prof Masoud Kamgarpour Chair (School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, QLD)
A/Prof Xiaoping Lu, (School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, University of Wollongong, NSW)
Dr Melissa Humphries (School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA)
Dr Valentina Wheeler WIMSIG representative (School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, University of Wollongong, NSW)

Useful Resources

The Industry Mentoring Network in STEM website provides some excellent down-loadable resources for both mentees and mentors.
We strongly encourage all participants to define goals, etc. in a formal mentoring agreement and provide this WIMSIG Mentoring Agreement to assist with this.

Contact Us

WIMSIG would love to keep up to date with how your mentoring is going.

Let us know what you and your mentor have been up to and connect with other mentoring program participants on Twitter @wimsigAU using the hashtag #wimsigmentoring.
You may also email WIMSIG at any time with questions or feedback.

For Conference/Workshop Organisers

We would be happy to advertise to our membership any conference or workshop that has specific and suitable measures in place to increase gender diversity among participants.

Such measures could include women, trans or gender-diverse invited speakers, women’s gatherings, financial incentives (travel funds or reduced registration), and suitable arrangements for childcare upon request.

If you would like some advice on running an event or would like your event advertised in the WIMSIG Newsletter or on the website, please contact us.

Download Advice Sheet

Contact WIMSIG