If you can think of a better name, let me know. We need only to think of the flying machines, rocket ships, robots, and lasers which began in the fantasies of past generations and have since evolved into technologies now taken for granted to be reminded of the indelible bridge between the human imagination and its technological manifestation. Perhaps the imagination fostered by the popular success of Contact has given science yet another good shot in the arm. Prof. Richard J. Weiss reports on research in universities, industry, and government. The conference brought together participants from academia, industry, government, and technical societies to address the current and anticipated shortage of qualified engineers, and how it is affected by the under-representation of women in engineering.
Women currently represent only nine percent of all engineers.
In her opening address, Dr. Denice Denton, University of Washington, Dean of Engineering, stated that the problem was not one of lack of resources but of underutilization of resources, i.e., women are not encouraged to become engineers. Sessions included invited speakers and discussion periods. Choosing engineering over other career alternatives, and preparing for an engineering career Retention of practicing engineers Promotion of women engineers into upper management. Women in Optics staff liaison, Patty Sweaney, was invited to attend. Conference papers and reports will be published by SPIE, and will be available in late 1998.