Gender diversity in Australian astronomy: the Astronomical Society of Australia 1966-2023
Article
Stevenson, Toner and Lomb, Nick. 2025. "Gender diversity in Australian astronomy: the Astronomical Society of Australia 1966-2023." Historical Records of Australian Science. 36 (1). https://doi.org/10.1071/HR24022
| Article Title | Gender diversity in Australian astronomy: the Astronomical Society of Australia 1966-2023 |
|---|---|
| ERA Journal ID | 3482 |
| Article Category | Article |
| Authors | Stevenson, Toner and Lomb, Nick |
| Journal Title | Historical Records of Australian Science |
| Journal Citation | 36 (1) |
| Article Number | HR24022 |
| Number of Pages | 15 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | CSIRO Publishing |
| Place of Publication | Australia |
| ISSN | 0727-3061 |
| 1448-5508 | |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1071/HR24022 |
| Web Address (URL) | https://www.publish.csiro.au/hr/HR24022 |
| Abstract | In this paper we examine the changes in the diversity of astronomers working in Australia, particularly the ratio of women compared to men, from 1966, when the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA) was formed, to 2023. This was a pivotal time, as there was a significant change to workplace law that enabled women who worked for Commonwealth departments to retain their permanent position once they married. We consider the impact on gender diversity and other marginalised groups in astronomy due to this and other changes in the law, through the membership records of the ASA. We focus on the experiences of female astronomers who have been at the leading edge of change, and women and men who have instigated strategies to increase the percentage of women employed in astronomy. The successes of two Australian Research Council (ARC) centres of excellence in achieving gender balance are considered as providing best practice models. |
| Keywords | History of Australian astronomy; The Astronomical Society of Australia; Women in astronomy; Gender equity in science; Post-war Australian astronomers; Pleiades awards; Beverley Wills (née Harris); Betty Louise Turtle (née Webster); Priscilla Bok (née Fairfield) |
| Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
| ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 5199. Other physical sciences |
| Byline Affiliations | University of Sydney |
| Centre for Astrophysics |
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https://research.usq.edu.au/item/zx218/gender-diversity-in-australian-astronomy-the-astronomical-society-of-australia-1966-2023
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