Facilitating Career Advancement for Women in the Geosciences through the Earth Science Women's Network (ESWN)

The Earth Science Women's Network (ESWN) aims to promote career development, build community, and facilitate professional collaborations for women across a variety of fields within the geosciences discipline. ESWN is a peer-mentoring network of women, with many early in their careers. ESWN started in 2002 as an initial group of six early-career women in atmospheric science and has grown to more than 1300 members. ESWN's growth has evolved solely from person-to-person contacts, and its sustained, rapid growth testifies to the group's value. The unique aspects of this disciplinary network include its focus on women at early career stages and the fact that it was formed and is led by early-career women scientists. ESWN members identify the network as a valuable part of their professional lives and often encourage peers and advisees to join. These features allow the group to assist women in the earth sciences in advancing professionally while connecting them with a community of their peers. Multiday thematic professional development workshops have been designed to bolster women's scientific career success by developing resources useful to early career geoscientists, initiating mentoring opportunities, identifying strategies for women to overcome barriers to success, and creating community. In addition, short workshops have been developed in concert with professional scientific conferences, giving access to all early-career geoscientists and enhancing useful networking opportunities. By identifying strategies to reduce barriers to professional success for women geoscientists, we aim to promote a culture that will enhance the success of all scientists.