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ADDRESSING GENDER DISPARITY IN THE IR COMMUNITY

As research in STEM disciplines are growing exponentially, it has been seen that there is a perceivable disparity in the number of gender minorities - the scene for Information Retrieval domain is no different. The participation statistics of women accross different conferences and seminars over the years have demonstrated that gender equity will be a distant goal, unless we act proactively.

To address this unsettling disparity and to decide the possible next steps towards acheiving gender equity in Information Retreieval domain, we are organising a half-day event during FIRE 2020 . The aim of this event is to extend a platform to women researchers specially engaged in research in area of Information Retrieval (IR) to showcase their piece of research and provide them mentorship by the eminent women researchers in the same field .

We are especially committed to reach out to women researchers from regional colleges, who may be facing challenges more severe than her peers in elite institutes; moreover, we also encourage women who needs any guidance in Technical English Writing to reach out to us for help.

NON-TECH CHALLENGES OF A RESEARCHER'S LIFE - ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE A WOMAN

Challenges of continuously acquiring and updating technical knowledge is one thing, however, women i.e, us have to face many non-tech challenges day to day as well - the proverbial work-life balance !

We believe emotional well being (read peace of mind) is necessary to research excellence. Hence, we will also discuss about the What and How of keeping our optimism alive!

COVID -19 and US

This year has been exceptionally difficult on all of us - with the sudden change in the normal as we knew it and emergence of the new normal. WIRe will also be the forum to discuss the imapct of the pandemic on the lives of women researchers.