"Women in Philosophy: a Reflective Symposium," Department of Philosophy, Australian National University, August 10, 2009.

Keynote Speakers Moira Gatens, Professor of Philosophy, University of Sydney Eva Feder Kittay, Professor of Philosophy, SUNY, Stony Brook In 2008 the Australasian Association for Philosophy (AAP) tabled a report to the AGM - Improving the Participation of Women in the Philosophy Profession. The full report can be found at http://aap.org.au/women/reports/index.html. The report notes that the proportion of women employed in Fractional and Full Time work contracts in philosophy programs in Australia is lower at all levels than the participation rates of women across the university sector (in 2006 women held 23% of continuing Teaching & Research positions in philosophy compared to 36% across all disciplines). Most significantly, the proportion of women in philosophy above level B is much lower than the rate across the sector. Further, although women typically represent 58% of 1st year enrolments, they represent only 36% of Higher Degree by Research students in philosophy (2000-2006). This event responds to these findings and seeks to explore through philosophical reflection and feminist analysis the experiences and issues facing women in philosophy. Papers are invited from post-graduate and honours level women studying or researching in philosophy. The AAP is supporting the travel and accommodation costs for the 2 best proposals from post-graduate or honours level students, in line with the recognition that this is a level at which women in philosophy particularly need support and have ideas to contribute on entry to the profession. We also welcome paper proposals from women at all levels in philosophy. We are not seeking feminist philosophy on all topics but particularly discussions that address women’s situation in philosophy today. A good example of this kind of reflection is Sally Haslanger, “Changing the Ideology and Culture of Philosophy: Not by Reason (Alone)”, Hypatia, 23:2, Spring 2008. Please send abstracts of 500 words in a Word attachment for a 25 minute paper to Fiona.Jenkins@anu.edu.au, by June 30th, 2009. Selection will be notified by July 6th. We strongly encourage other women in philosophy to attend the event, which will give time for discussion and a participative round-table. There is no registration charge but please advise your interest in attending to Fiona.Jenkins@anu.edu.au.