EQUALITY GUIdE - KU Leuven

180 Equality Guide
1.1. Problem definition
“You must seize the chances you get and create sometimes those chances yourself.
Women have the tendency to stay where they are. They are too loyal, too expectant
and too satisfied. The glass ceiling is not situated at the top, but on the floor, to which
everyone remains stuck.” 199
Female researchers insufficiently reach the university top. The problem is that the qualities
for being a good researcher are not necessarily the same as the qualities that are
needed to build a career.
There are all kinds of theories concerning the glass ceiling, old boys’ networks, and the
career barriers for women. This module however will study the issues women can work
on, if they want to get to the top and the focus is on the role of communication skills.
What can we learn from women who have reached the top? How did they succeed?
Which competencies do they have? What did they have to learn?
1.2. Context UA
The University of Antwerp chose the topic of gender and communication and the organization
of communication trainings for female researchers. This choice was based on
the fact they already had many years of experience in training academics in communication
skills in the context of the WeCom-project 200 . In the spring of 2000, the WeComproject
initiated trainings for scientists in communication with non-professionals and
the general public. More and more scientists need to communicate with non-professionals
such as potential sponsors, governments, partners, journalists, young people or
the general public. The WeCom-courses are practice-oriented and interactive. Together
with other scientists, they improved their communication skills. Five modules were
developed: two basic modules ‘Clear and persuasive writing for the general public’ and
‘Clear and persuasive speaking for the general public, before camera and microphone’,
199 Proposition of Ilja van Haaren (business woman of the year 2002 in the Netherlands) on the Internet
forum http://www.empowervrouwen.nl/manvrouw/index.php?id=28,135,0,0,1,0.
200 www.wecomproject.com.
WeCom also offers the workshop ‘Communication management for scientific communicators of scientific
research institutions’ and published a series of books on scientific communication:
! ‘Wetenschap en communicatie, hoezo?’ by Ann Van der Auweraert, project leader of ‘Wetenschap
en Samenleving in Interactie’.
! ‘Spreken voor een volle zaal’ by Bob De Groof. Bob De Groof teaches communication techniques
at different training institutes.
! ‘Een doeltreffend radio- of televisie-interview’ by Bob De Groof.
! ‘Wetenschap communiceren met medialand’ by Jos Huypens. He teaches Communication
Sciences, is a Wecom-teacher and runs an office for communication advice.
! ‘Populair-wetenschappelijk schrijven’ by Ann De Ron, biologist, freelance journalist and teacher
WeCom.