ANALYSIS AND OPINION WOMEN IN OPTICS g


experience sexism, I encourage you to talk to others outside of your normal circle. You might find that even the most successful and happy women in your workplace have to deal with frustrating gendered commentary and attitudes. For better or for worse,


gender issues are not unique to the optics and photonics industry. We fall very much in line with other STEM fields with regards to attitudes, the pay gap, and representation4


.


I think that if there was any community or industry that would appreciate the need to have confidence in aggregate data and not personal observations, it seems that one rooted in science would be the most likely. To me this presents an incredible opportunity to differentiate ourselves as an industry. There is a rising concern about a global shortage of optics and photonics talent in industry5


.


Imagine all the untapped talent we could gain and retain


by having a reputation as an inclusive and progressive industry. With all this being said,


I have learned I can’t teach empathy. If you finish reading this article and recognise these are real phenomena happening in your industry but don’t care,


“There is a rising concern about a global shortage of optics and photonics talent in industry. Imagine all the untapped talent we could gain and retain by having a reputation as an inclusive and progressive industry”


I don’t think anything I write will help. The viewpoints of indifference and disbelief are fundamental to the overall problem of gender bias in STEM. That bias has a tangible impact on women’s careers, including their ability to earn a fair wage, be promoted into positions of power, and receive


equal awards and recognition. One more thing, as full


disclosure. I’m one of those women that’s incredibly happy at their job and has been privileged enough to feel that their career has not been significantly impeded by their gender. But so many people have shared their stories with me and I’ve heard the same questions, concerns, and narratives over and over again. I’m hoping to raise awareness of those who have never thought twice about their place in the optics and photonics industry, in the hope we can all work together to advocate for and implement gender equity policies and practices. Understanding the context of our viewpoints can help provide common ground in improving gender issues, so continue the conversations, educate yourselves, and support gender equity in optics and photonics. It will make our industry a better place for everyone. EO


References:


1 Horowitz, J., Parker, K., Stepler, R. Pew Research Center. Wide Partisan Gaps in US Over How Far the Country Has Come on Gender Equality. October 2017. Available at: www. pewsocialtrends.org/2017/10/18/ wide-partisan-gaps-in-u-s-over- how-far-the-country-has-come- on-gender-equality/


2 SPIE, Bellingham, WA. ‘Gender Equity in the Optics + Photonics Workplace’. August 2017. Available at: https://spie.org/ membership/women-in-optics/ women-in-optics-survey


3 SPIE Bellingham, WA. ‘2017 Optics & Photonics Global Salary Report’. 2017. Available at https://spiecareercenter.org/ survey


4 Corbett, C., Hill, C. AAUW, Washington, DC. Solving the Equation: The Variables for Women’s Success in Engineering and Computing. March 26 2015. Available at: www.aauw.org/ research/solving-the-equation/


5 Daukantas, P., 2017. The Optics Workforce: Looking to the Future. Optics & Photonics, [Online]. July/August 2017, 26-33. Available at: www.osa- opn.org/opn/media/Images/ PDF/2017/07_0817/26-33_ OPN_07_08_17.pdf?ext=.pdf


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