Women in Spatial

Currently, most regions hold Women in Spatial forums as a regular event as a means to engage women in surveying and spatial sciences. The forums are regularly presented by prominent professionals and encourage women to meet and interact to develop personal and professional networks.

Aims of the SSSI’s Women in Spatial Initiative

To provide SSSI members with added value; and
To increase SSSI membership.

The initiative is referred to as the ‘Women in Spatial’ initiative taking into account the brand already associated with the name and that the major demographic of women in the profession (Young Professionals) identify with the term ‘spatial’.

Women in Spatial Scholarship 2011

This scholarship is designed to support women in the spatial disciplines and is open to all, including non-SSSI applicants. The purpose of the scholarship is to:

Provide an opportunity for personal and professional development of female spatial professionals whether in technical, management or policy roles;
Support women to obtain further experience in a spatial discipline or career development in the spatial industry, either abroad or locally (nationally or internationally), through conference attendance, study (workshop or support for course work including tertiary courses) or professional development;
Support women returning to work after a career break, by providing opportunity to re-skill or update skills as required;
Support and promote opportunities for women in spatial.

The 2011 scholarship is now open for nominations. Please complete your nomination on the form provided below. Nominations close on the 28th of October 2011.
Please note that this scholarship is open to both members and non-members of the SSSI.

WIS Scholarship 2011 Information Form WIS Scholarship 2011 Application Form

A report from Veronika Frank, our 2010 winner

Women in Spatial Survey

Our 2011 survey is now closed and the results will be published here. Thankyou to all those who responded. The previous survey was completed in 2007. Read the results here

The Women in Spatial initiative is to remain an initiative as opposed to a Commission or Special Interest Group so that another level of governance is not required. We are advocating making the SSSI more relevant to women rather than creating a separate group.

The Women in Spatial initiative is to be recognised as the peak group to inform the spatial profession on issues related to women and the profession. This compliments the recognition of the SSSI in the Spatial Action Agenda as being a peak body for the industry. The initiative has the benefit of enabling male colleagues with an avenue to contribute to strategies that address women in spatial issues.

The model for the initiative is an informal and flexible group in each SSSI region recognising that feedback indicates informal networking is highly valued. Formal events undertaken under the Women in Spatial initiative will be limited to SSSI members in order to increase the relevance of the SSSI to women and to demonstrate SSSI membership value to non-members. There is recognition that 50% of the women engaged to date in the initiative are non-members and their uptake of SSI membership is a gradual process. The informal groups within the regions will not undertake SSSI core business except for increasing membership and provided specialised events/networking opportunities to the profession.

Women in Geographic Information Technology (WinGIT) is the WA representative group for the Women in Spatial Initiative. For further information about WinGIT, please visit us.