Laleh Behjat
Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of Calgary
Chair title
NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (Prairies)
Chair program
Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering Program
Role
Chairholder since 2020
Summary
Dr. Laleh Behjat is the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering in the prairie region and a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Calgary. She received her Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Waterloo in 2002. Her research program focuses on developing modeling and mathematical techniques to automate the design of digital integrated circuits.
Dr. Behjat is passionate about increasing the status of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Her team has been collaborating with researchers in arts and education on developing methods for teaching innovation and creativity in post-secondary education. Dr. Behjat has won several awards for her work including the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) Women in Engineering Champion Award, Killam Graduate Student Supervision and Mentorship Award, and Minerva Mentoring award. Her team, Schulich Engineering Outreach Team, was also the recipient of the ASTech Leadership Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness Award.
Women and other under-represented groups in science and technology face systemic barriers that exist because of cultures, policies, practices and values that prevent them implicitly or explicitly to realize their full potential. To remove these systemic barriers, a critical mass of diverse ideas and empowered people from all dimensions is needed.
WISE-Planet’s goal is to systematically change the recruitment, retention, and advancement trends and realities in science and engineering and empower women and other under-represented groups from across the prairie region. The program will do this through the following initiatives: Change Leadership Training; Leadership in Equity Action Plan (LEAP) Projects; the Diversity Scholarship Program; and Network building.The impact of WISE-Planet will be wide-reaching. In order to foster innovation and thrive in a world that will experience mounting technological and environmental disruptions, a diverse and inclusive environment is needed. The program will impact Canadians by training women and other under-represented minorities in science and engineering in change leadership and enable them to envision an equitable, diverse and inclusive future, and strategize to make this future possible.
Partner organizations will participate by providing both cash and in-kind contributions. Of the ten partner organizations, most participate in WISE-Planet beyond those contributions. Partner organizations will provide training for the participants in WISE-Planet, including opportunities for skills development (e.g., communications), learning about entrepreneurship, as well as providing mentorship for female students and their allies.
The expected impact of the Chair on the partner organization's operations is several-fold. WISE-Planet participants will contribute to the activities of the organizations, bringing new ideas, while solidifying a relationship with the University of Calgary. The mentorship opportunities that come with coaching and training young women contribute to a community of practice in Calgary, the prairie region and throughout Canada. Additionally, in helping train new scholars, partner organizations are training the next generation of skilled professionals in their field
