Message from the President

SCWIST continues to adjust our programming and activities based on the recommendations from evidenced-based science, BC Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC) and the local authorities for our affiliates regarding the novel coronovirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic.

This week we held our first all-remote board of directors meeting. Much of the discussion was around how we continue to provide our programing and advocacy that removes barriers for women and girls in STEM, in a time with a mass move to virtual; education, career and economic disruption; and an evaporation of the supports that many women used to rely on for child and elder care. Our Technical Committee is reviewing software that will allow us to participate and vote during our June virtual AGM, our Youth Engagement Committee is connecting with the rural and remote communities they serve to coordinate a continuation of programming and we have extended our in-person event cancellations for events we had planned through to at least end of summer.

Please do take care of yourselves, colleagues, neighbours, friends and family.

Kelly Marciniw,
President

SCWIST Events and Programs

At this time we are monitoring the changing situation and following risk-informed decision making guidelines from the Public Health Authority of Canada. With specific updates for upcoming in-person events that have been cancelled, as follows:

April 25 volunteer training event - RESCHEDULED TBC
May 14 job fair event - RESCHEDULED with a new date to be confirmed and exploring virtual tools for SCWIST’s Women in STEM Job Fair
May 14 reception with Nobel Laureate Professor Donna Strickland & SCWIST Members - RESCHEDULED to May 2021
June 19 AGM - Please still keep this date saved and we will provide a virtual conferencing platform and voting software
CCWESTT Conference and Manitoba SCWIST Affiliate event - RESCHEDULED to November 12-14, 2020
All ms infinity workshops and outreach - Cancelled except our ementoring program is still running
All SCWIST Affiliate in person events (Prince George, Calgary and Montreal) and post-secondary school Brown Bags - Cancelled

If this changes, updates will be provided on our website and attendees will be emailed.

Our adult mentoring and skills exchange program, Make Possible, is available; however, we recommend getting connected over email, phone and video chat rather than in-person.
Our youth ementoring program will still be running, with the next intake starting soon.

The SCWIST Resource Centre, for tools, questions and support for women and girls in STEM, is available virtually via web and email

Reminders and Resources

For further updates and resources, please go to:

BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)’s Updates
The Public Health Authority of Canada (PHAC)’s webpage
World Health Organization (WHO)’s COVID-19 Health Emergency webpage

The Digital Technology Supercluster has launched a program seeking researchers and companies looking to accelerate technologies related to COVID-19
Canadian federal government is seeking suppliers including medical equipment manufacturing that can be retooled
Canada’s economic response plan including supports for those with reduced pay and / or changed childcare needs

Volunteer Call Out

SCWIST is looking for volunteers who are passionate about the promotion of STEM professions to women and girls. Come and join a dynamic national network of volunteers working in events, communications, outreach and affiliate networks, and have an opportunity to learn new skills and engage with our pan-Canadian network. Find out more here.

Every Vote Counts! Help Raise $10,000 for YWCA Metro Vancouver “Preventing Violence Against Women” Program.

SCWIST Past President Christin Wiedemann has been nominated for a YWCA Women of Distinction “Connecting the Community Award”. Help her raise $10,000 for the YWCA Metro Vancouver “Preventing Violence Against Women” Program that provides resources for women leaving abusive situations and access to support, legal resources and employment programs for survivors of domestic abuse. For women needing immediate help, here is a list of crisis resources. (https://ywcavan.org/violence-prevention-services/crisis-resources-survivors-violence )

VOTE NOW: You can vote once per day – up until April 24th at noon. Just scroll down near the bottom of this link to find Christin’s name: https://ywcavan.org/programs/women-distinction-awards/connecting-community-award

Closing the Gender Pay Gap

SCWIST recently participated in the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) – Closing the Gender Pay Gap, Event hosted by the Women’s Leadership Council facilitated by SCWIST's Cheryl Kristiansen, Make DIVERSITY Possible Project Manager. Read More.

2020 Wonder Women Networking Evening

SCWIST was extremely proud to host the 2020 Wonder Women Networking Evening, in collaboration with Science World in Vancouver, on 9 March 2020. Read More.

Women’s Role in The Race to a COVID-19 Vaccine

In the midst of a health pandemic, it is difficult to hold on to hope. The influx of negative news bombarding our social media feeds negatively impacts our mental health, as it becomes increasingly difficult to see an end in sight with the current health crisis. Read More.

Job Board

Assistant/Associate Professor of Pharmacology (Tenure Stream)

The Department of Pharmacology at Dalhousie University is seeking to fill a tenure-stream position with an anticipated start date of January 2021 (negotiable).

Account Executive

As an Account Executive, you will be working with community organizations to help them leverage Traction Rec to achieve their vision of success. We are building the best software in the community center management space and we are looking for values focused individuals to join our growing team. You will spend the majority of your day in high value conversations with clients and partners as a trusted advisor. This role is focused on driving revenue with our largest clients to help fuel the growth of the Traction Rec team.

Read More

Assistant Professor in Urban Forests and Human Health

The Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the Vancouver campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for a tenure-stream position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of urban forestry with an emphasis on human health and urban green spaces.

Read More

Full time Tenure Track position in Indigenous Natural Sciences

The Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia (UBC), invites applications for a tenure-track academic position in Indigenous Natural Sciences at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, to commence on July 1, 2021 or when a suitable candidate is found. The UBC Vancouver campus is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).

Click here for a list of additional companies who are hiring during this time.

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