| Authors |
Andrea BLAIR, Aimee CALIBUGAN, Catherine COUTTS, Abbie DEAN, Sophie MILLOY, Juliet NEWSON, Trudy O’HALLORAN, Anya SEWARD, Paul SIRATOVICH, Karl SPINSK, Charis WONG |
| Abstract |
Founded in October 2013 during the Geothermal Resources Council Annual General Meeting in Las Vegas Nevada, Women in Geothermal (WING) has now become the largest single geothermal association on the planet with over 1384 members from 57 countries and 22% of which are male (WINGmen) (at 31 Jan 2019). A not-for-profit volunteer organisation, WINGs mission is to promote the education, professional development and advancement of women in the geothermal community. ‘The culture within the geothermal community is one of openness, friendship, and mutual respect. However, in the working environment worldwide unconscious bias still persists. WING aims to have an effect on the geothermal industry where gender equality is the result. Our ultimate goal is that one day we won’t need to exist.’ (WING Roadmap to Iceland 2020) WING members come together from a variety of disciplines that all contribute to the success of geothermal projects around the world; science, engineering, legal, regulatory, business, government, community leaders and other roles, to join in a global conversation about fairness and equality. The origins of the ‘WING Roadmap to Iceland 2020’ (Roadmap) began during the World Geothermal Conference in Melbourne in 2015. WING Ambassadors from around the world met and discussed the vision and goals for WING. From there the WING Global Team, based in New Zealand, created the Roadmap. This has been the guiding document for the organisation, providing focus on specific targets, practical activities, and themes that underpin the organisations work. Workstreams are based on achieving global goals through local implementation, that is, WING Country Teams performed activities and initiatives that are relevant to local conditions, issues and opportunities, and that also support the global WING goals. A ‘doing’ organisation that has focused on tactical and practical activities, a focus on the inclusion men in all levels of the organisation, a willingness to challenge bias, to initiate a conversation on diversity, with support from industry leaders and organisations, and the seemingly endless supply of human energy and goodwill, has resulted in a shift in culture within the global geothermal community to an increasingly inclusive and more fair place for women. This paper will discuss the growth of WING from an idea to a global movement, including insight into the underpinning strategic considerations and philosophies, as well as statistical and anecdotal evidence of a positive change that is providing inspiration to not only women, but the whole geothermal community. |