Department ENGR is a growing engineering department at a research-intensive university with 14 faculty: 13 men and one woman. For the first faculty meeting of the academic year, the main agenda item is the development of a strategic, five-year departmental research plan. Discussion is lively and includes a variety of innovative ideas for focusing and growing the department’s research output and quality. While many faculty interject their opinions throughout the discussion, you notice that, more often than not, your female colleague is interrupted when she speaks.

At one point during the discussion, your female colleague suggests that the department establish a summer research program for female high school seniors. The department’s top faculty in research funding cuts off the woman with a frustrated “We really need to focus our discussion on ideas to improve our graduate program, not some outreach program for girls.” Unable to respond or get a word in edgewise, you see your female colleague stop participating in the discussion.

As a member of the department and ally of gender equity, what perspectives or contributions can you offer in this situation?