DTI Return-To-Science Scheme for Mums

The scheme will be run by Coventry University in conjunction with the DTI and will provide business-based training and experience to help women SET graduates return to jobs where they can use their knowledge and expertise. It is estimated that 50,000 women SET graduates are not working at any one time. Of those who do return to work, only around 8,000 return to a job that makes use of their university education and training. 

Making the announcement in a speech to the British Association's
Science Festival at Leicester University, Patricia Hewitt said: 

"Women have a vital role to play across the sciences in the UK and we need to reverse the trend of mothers not returning to jobs in their chosen academic field. This is crucial both for women's personal professional fulfilment and for the benefits they bring to scientific research and the UK economy. 

"With women making up almost half the workforce, professional equality is not just a worthy principle anymore, it is a matter of economic necessity." 

The announcement of the scheme, follows the publishing of the 'Maximising Returns' report (published January 2002), commissioned by the Government's Promoting Science Engineering and Technology (SET)for Women which has produced the evidence and highlighted the issue of retention for women in SET occupations. 

During her speech Ms Hewitt also encouraged people to put themselves forward for the new Rosalind Franklin Medal, launched in January this year. The annual competition will be run by the Royal Society to raise the profile of women in science in recognition of Rosalind Franklin, whose research contributed to the discovery of DNA. 

The Rosalind Franklin Medal and £30,000 will be awarded to a researcher for scientific innovation. The prize can be used for funding equipment purchase, study tours or other research related activities. A proportion of the money must be used to fund activities to raise the profile and participation of women in SET in their host institution. Examples include: 

- establishing a women's mentoring scheme; 

- writing a book to inspire women in SET; 

- organising a lecture tour to promote themselves as a role model to women in SET; 

- organising a lecture tour to promote the messages of gender mainstreaming in SET; 

- writing articles for quality newspapers and/or magazines to raise the profile of women in SET; and 

- giving a series of talks to audiences of both men and women about the contribution of women in SET. 

Ms Hewitt said: 

"The Rosalind Franklin Award will increase the visibility of women in science and engineering by celebrating the achievement of outstanding scientists. 

"I want to encourage talented scientists from across all fields to put themselves forward for this award in recognition of an outstanding achiever. I hope that this competition will inspire and encourage other women to pursue fulfilling careers in scientific research and development." 

Public Enquiries: +44 20-7215 5000
Textphone (for people with hearing impairments): +44 20-7215 6740

(The new pilot scheme is part of TCS - a Government-funded scheme that enables business to access the skills and resources that reside in the higher educational institutions and research organisations within the UK for strategic advantage by using high quality graduates working in companies on knowledge transfer projects. See www.tcsonline.org.uk for additional details) 

(Copies of the report Maximising Returners are available from the DTI web site - www.set4women.gov.uk)