India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the UK’s British Council have jointly launched the Women in Space Leadership Programme (WiSLP) to promote gender inclusivity in the field of space sciences.
About the Women in Space Leadership Programme (WiSLP)
- Aim: To support institutions in strengthening gender-inclusive practices and fostering women’s leadership in space sciences.
- It is part of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).
Focus Areas
- Astrophysics: Integrating a gender perspective into critical research areas like astrophysics to promote innovation.
- Mentoring and Networking: Establishing peer-to-peer mentoring and sustainable networks for women scientists.
- Scientific Innovation: Encouraging the inclusion of women to enhance innovation in space sciences.
Key Features:
- Strategic Leadership Framework: Focuses on empowering women by building a leadership framework.
- Mentoring Networks: WiSLP will build sustainable mentoring networks to support early career researchers (ECRs).
- Gender Perspective Integration: It will integrate a gender perspective into critical areas such as astrophysics and telecommunications.
- Leadership Development: The programme aims to equip 250 early career researchers to take up leadership roles, helping them navigate gender biases and barriers.
Programme Components:
- Networking: Promotes networking opportunities for women in space sciences.
- Awareness Building: Enhances awareness about the importance of gender inclusion in science.
- Peer-to-Peer Mentoring: Encourages peer mentoring to foster leadership among women.
Importance for India:
- The programme is expected to increase women’s representation in space sciences, contributing to innovation and scientific progress.
- It encourages early engagement of women in the growing field of space sciences, including diverse areas like engineering and social sciences.
UK-India Collaboration in STEM:
- The WiSLP is a part of a broader collaboration under the UKIERI, which has facilitated over 25,000 academic exchanges and strengthened ties across 4,500 educational institutions in India and the UK.
About UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI)
- Objective: To strengthen collaboration in research and innovation between India and the UK.
- Contribution: WiSLP is part of a broader effort to enhance cooperation between academic and research institutions in both countries.
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Frequently Asked Question:
What is the aim of the Women in Space Leadership Programme (WiSLP)?
The programme aims to promote gender inclusivity and leadership for women in space sciences.
Which organizations have launched the WiSLP?
The WiSLP is a joint initiative by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the UK’s British Council.
What is the role of mentoring networks in WiSLP?
WiSLP aims to build sustainable mentoring networks for supporting early career researchers in space sciences.
How many researchers will WiSLP support?
WiSLP will help 250 early career researchers take on leadership roles in space sciences.
What is the strategic leadership framework in WiSLP?
It is a framework focused on empowering women in space sciences and addressing gender biases.