Women in Vision Research Home Community Women In Vision Research The Committee of Women in Vision Research The CTVR Committee of Women in Vision Research (CTVR WVR) collects and disseminates data and information on the education and employment of women scientists, and health care professionals, and ways to increase the participation and advancement of women in all fields of science, and medicine. CTVR WVR focuses not only on conversations of the scientific and medical dimensions of the issues, but also considers broader social and cultural challenges from the perspective of early career women. Our mission is to empower women of all backgrounds to achieve full potential in careers as researchers, clinicians and leaders, expand the image of the ophthalmology professions as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion. Membership We are committed to promoting diverse membership and leadership. We strive to empower women in research and clinical fields, students, post-docs, project scientists, professors and clinicians. We support women from all backgrounds to achieve their aspirations. If you would like to become a member, please contact our director of development, Anna Kiker by clicking below Become a Member Mentorship The relationship between Mentor and Mentee can be a critical determinant for successful career development. Effective mentoring of trainees and early career faculty is a professional responsibility. CTVR WVR Committee is offering a number of programs to help guide both novice and experienced mentors to expand their knowledge, and provide tools and resources to improve the mentor and mentee experiences. Learn more about WVR Mentorship Workshops and Panel Discussions The Committee’s mission is to accelerate change and empower women of all backgrounds to achieve their full potential in careers as researchers, clinicians, and leaders. In March 2021 the Committee organized a screening of the film “Picture a Scientist” (Tribeca Film Festival 2020), which tells the story of three women in science who share the challenges they face as they advance in their careers. The screening was followed by a distinguished panel discussion (on Zoom) focusing on positive actions that should improve the position of women in science at UCI. Panel members included Dr. Marguerite Bonous-Hammarth, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Dr. Lisa A. Flanagan, Associate Professor, Neurology, and SOM Equity Advisor; and Dr. M. Cristina Kenney, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, and Research SOM Equity Advisor. Following the first event’s success, the Committee organized have started the mentoring through the workshops and panel discussion such as “Mentorship/Sponsorship/Allyship/Coaching for ALL - understanding the difference & impact on your career”, “From invention to patenting”, and others. Panel Discussion "From Inventing to Patenting" Panel Discussion "From Inventing to Patenting" Panel Discussion "From Inventing to Patenting" Slide 1 Slide 2 Slide 3 Publications on Gender inequality External reports and statistics Junming Huang, Alexander J. Gates, Roberta Sinatra, and Albert-László Barabási. Historical comparison of gender inequality in scientific careers across countries and disciplines. PNAS March 3, 2020 117 (9) 4609-4616; first published February 18, 2020. Kyle R. Myers, Wei Yang Tham, Yian Yin, Nina Cohodes, Jerry G. Thursby, Marie C. Thursby, Peter Schiffer, Joseph T. Walsh, Karim R. Lakhani & Dashun Wang. Unequal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientists. Nature Human Behaviour July 15, 2020. Langin, K. The pandemic is hitting scientist parents hard, and some solutions may backfire. Science July 31, 2020. Burki, T. The indirect impact of COVID-19 on women. The Lancet, volume 20, issue 8, p904-905, August 01, 2020. Cousins, Sophie. COVID-19 has “devastating” effect on women and girls. The Lancet, volume 396, issue 10247, p301-302, august 01, 2020. Thomas, Rachel Schall, InInfluencer Co-founder & CEO of LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org. To do better by Black women, companies must focus on both gender and race. Here’s why that’s critical—and what it looks like in practice. August 13, 2020. Emma Pierson, Elissa M. Redmiles, Leilani Battle & Jessica Hullman. If you want more women in your workforce, here’s how to recruit. Nature. August 26, 2020. Bas Hofstraa, Vivek V. Kulkarnib, Sebastian Munoz-Najar Galveza, Bryan Heb, Dan Jurafskyb, and Daniel A. McFarlanda. The Diversity–Innovation Paradox in Science. PNAS April 28, 2020 117 (17) 9284-9291; first published April 14, 2020 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1915378117 Jillian Kramer. The Virus Moved Female Faculty to the Brink. Will Universities Help? NYTimes, October 6, 2020. Stacy Weiner. How COVID-19 threatens the careers of women in medicine. AAMC, November 12, 2020. Michelle I. Cardel, Emily Dhurandhar, Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Monica Foster, Bertha Hidalgo, Leslie A. McClure, Sherry Pagoto, Nathanial Brown, Dori Pekmezi, Noha Sharafeldin, Amanda L. Willig, Christine Angelini. Turning Chutes into Ladders for Women Faculty: A Review and Roadmap for Equity in Academia. Journal of Women’s Health, Vol. 29, No. 5. Published online: 13 May 2020 https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2019.8027 Sally Horrocks. The women who cracked science’s glass ceiling. 06 November 2019. Nature 575, 243-246 (2019). doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-03362-1 COVID is amplifying the inadequacy of research-evaluation processes. Nature 591, 7 (2021) doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-00527-9