A Laurentian University professor is among only four Canadians selected for the fourth “Homeward Bound” cohort (HB4).
Tammy Eger is a professor of human kinetics and research chair at the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health.
She and 95 women representing 28 countries will complete a 12-month intensive leadership program for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine (STEMM).
The leadership program will culminate in a three-week journey to Antarctica in November 2019 to learn about climate change and polar science.
“Homeward Bound” is a 10-year global initiative to equip 1,000 women in the STEMM fields with the skills to lead and to influence policy and decision-making in ways that will help to create a sustainable future for the planet.
According to the Unesco Institute for Statistics (UIS), less than 30 per cent of the world’s researchers are women.
“Even fewer women are in leadership positions in STEMM,” said Eger. “Initiatives such as this are critical to provide leadership training for women and to raise awareness about gender issues in these fields.
“I am absolutely thrilled to have been chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I look forward to meeting the members of my cohort, sharing our experiences and collectively working to increase global leadership opportunities for women in STEMM.”
The 12-month program has four core development components: leadership development, strategic capability, visibility and science communication, and science collaboration.
Delivered by an expert global faculty, “Homeward Bound” comprises lectures, personal and leadership development tools, coaching sessions, visibility training and the opportunity to develop meaningful collaborations in forums, in teams with a focus on areas of interest, and in small diverse cohorts.
