Male speakers boycott all-male panels to protest lack of female representation

Published in the Research School of Physics Event Horizon
Vol42 Issue18 9–13 May 2016

From the RSPE Equity and Diversity Committee

Five of Australia's most booked male conference speakers will boycott panels that don't include women, criticising organisers for taking the lazy way out by opting for "dude fests". Last week, the international payments company PayPal was attacked for organising an all-male panel to discuss "gender equality and inclusion in the workplace".

"We often see full male panels at conferences. In general, there is a lack of diversity, and sometimes we see those male panels talk about issues around women." In one case, he said a local financial institution hosted a similar discussion to PayPal's on work and family issues without including women.  

"So you have privileged white males talking about the challenges that women face. It's insane," said Dr Fraser, who has presented his research on managing change and improving results to top businesses in Australia and New Zealand over the past five years. 

For more information, see: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/nsw/male-speakers-boycott-allmale-panels-to-protest-lack-of-female-representation-20160428-gohb4k.html