When women scientists move into Leadership.(Interview)

You've been hard at work in the laboratory and the classroom, and now you might become department chair or dean. What costs and rewards do you need to weigh? Can you later return to teaching and research, or does administration lock that door?

Dr. Katharine C. Hunt, University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University in East Lansing, recently completed a four-year term as chair of the chemistry department. With co-presenter Cheryl Sisk, director of MSU's neuroscience program, Hunt led a session at the 2002 Michigan ACE Network for Women conference titled, "Out of the Laboratory, into Leadership."

Her advice for women scientists considering a future in administration: If you're at a research-intensive university like MSU, you must focus on research to have credibility. Good teaching is essential but don't think of it as a career strategy; it won't help you become chair or dean. Do some administrative service to get an idea how the university works and meet people outside your department.

Many of the recently appointed women presidents at top schools have come from science backgrounds. Why? "Science requires you to focus on both the broad perspective and specific quantitative details" as administrators must, Hunt told WIHE.

Keep up your scholarship

Administrators don't have to quit all their teaching and research, but there are only so many hours in the day. For lab scientists who hope to return to the lab, continuity in research takes priority. Her PhD advisor once told someone who'd taken time away from research to allow three years to build it back up.

Hunt kept her research group and directed independent study projects while she was chair, working with freshmen through post-docs. She didn't lecture; that's easier to resume after a gap of several years. Her immediate predecessor made similar choices, teaching only two of his eight years as chair and publishing 16 research papers the year after he stepped down.