Award to fund women’s studies

By Julie Ann Matonis
Staff Reporter

Lisa Munger, a senior political science major, has spent the semester working on her thesis, which focuses on the gender-specific issues facing female political candidates. A new award being offered could help her reach a broad audience with her research.

Each year for the next two years, one student and one faculty member conducting research related to women’s studies will be recipients of the Nokia Research Award.

Winners will receive certificates and a $500 stipend. In Munger’s case, the stipend would help her increase the practical applications of her thesis.

“I’m putting together a guide that could be distributed to female political candidates that lays out issues they may encounter,” Munger said. “The Nokia Research Award would help me publish the guide.”

Marcy Paul, the program coordinator for the Women’s Resource Center, said the Nokia Research Award represents a collaboration of academic departments.

“The Women’s Resource Center works with academic departments in planning programs, speakers and different types of workshops,” Paul said. “The Nokia Research Award will encourage continued women-related research in different fields.”

Virve Virtanen, a media relations manager for Nokia Inc., said Nokia has a history of research relationships with European universities and because the company has American headquarters in Irving, it is trying to establish local ties.

“Nokia has identified TCU as being a prestigious local university,” Virtanen said. “Boundaries are diminishing, and globalization is changing the way business is done. Universities like TCU have the ability to further world knowledge and to enhance cultural interactions.”

Virtanen said women in the field of technology are still underrepresented compared to males, which is why Nokia is supporting the award.

“Supporting women’s studies programs, such as the one at TCU, is one way of promoting diversity in a high-tech industry,” Virtanen said.

Paul said Research Award winners will be invited to share their projects at the upcoming Women’s Symposium.

“The goal is that the recipients will present their work at the next symposium, and the finished work will be located in the Women’s Research Center Library,” Paul said.

Students will be chosen based on academic performance, the merits of their research proposal and two faculty letters of recommendation.

Faculty members will be selected based on their proposals and explanation of how their research advances the study of women’s issues.

Paul said undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty are submitting applications.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. March 15 in Student Center, Room 220. Paul said a review committee, composed of faculty members from various departments, will determine the winners. Award recipients will be announced at the Women and Community Dinner on March 27, which is part of the 7th annual Women’s Symposium.

Munger said she wants there to be a lot of interest in the award.

“I hope there is lots of competition (for the award) and that word has gotten out,” Munger said.

Julie Ann Matonis
j.a.matonis@student.tcu.edu