Equity in the optics and photonics workplace

Since 2015, the SPIE Gender Equity Task Force has been working to identify how the professional environment and culture of the optics and photonics community can better enable equal opportunities, rewards, and recognition for its members, independent of gender. The Task Force focuses on identifying and recommending specific steps our community can take to improve ongoing advocacy and career assistance for women and attract more women to pursue optics and photonics careers. The Task Force’s 2017 report "Equity in the optics and photonics workplace" uses qualitative and quantitative data to explore various gender equity themes, including compensation, promotion, leadership, work/life balance, mid-career interruptions, and parenting. In my presentation, I will present the report’s main takeaways to address and discuss the topic of equity in the optics and photonics workplace with the DGaO community as well.