Ventana software support forum

Systems modeling approaches seem ideal for studying such a complex issue.
Ive been working on a System Dynamics model to aid in understanding the
problem of womens low representation in fields related to Math, Science
and Technology. I recently presented a very basic version of the model at
the Southeastern Womens Studies Association conference on Gender and
Technology. At this point, I am only beginning to understand issues,
rather than being in a position to propose solutions, but I would be happy
to share what I do know with anyone who is interested.

There is actually a growing body of literature on the subject, and a few
universities now offer Women In Science programs designed to examine this
relationship between gender and "scientific" fields. In addition to
picking away at my System Dynamics model, which is based on some of the
insights provided by this literature, I am also trying to develop an
agent-based model using Swarm to aid in understanding how this gendered
division in technology-related fields arises. As a more general issue, Im
interested in how the insights from the two different types of models can
complement each other. I would welcome exchanges with others interested in
either of these issues (Gender & Technology; comparing SD models &
agent-based/CAS models).

Best Regards


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Dawn Trembath
Graduate Student
Cognitive Psychology Program
Univ. North Carolina - Chapel Hill
From: Dawn Trembath <datrembath@mindspring.com>