- The Women's Caucus of the Philosophy of Science Association (PSA) has the following goals: to informally mentor women entering the philosophy of science, to provide an opportunity for networking among the women of the PSA, to raise the visibility of women in the field, and to address any concerns about women and gender in the PSA. The Caucus is authorized by the PSA Governing Board and is accountable to that Board. Its co-chairs act as a resource to the organization on questions that are pertinent to the role and status of women in the profession as well as within the PSA itself.
- The biennial business meeting of the Women's Caucus is scheduled during each meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association. Motions are discussed and voted on by the members who are present. Between meetings, the Women's Caucus is guided by its two co-chairs, one junior and one senior. Co-chairs serve staggered four-year terms, with a new co-chair elected at each business meeting by the members present and voting. The senior co-chair shall be a Caucus member who is already tenured at the time of election; the junior co-chair shall be a member who is not yet tenured when first elected. The Caucus also has a secretary-treasurer, who is elected at the biennial meeting for a term of four years.
- The business of the Caucus includes establishing and maintaining communication networks among members of the Caucus and with other persons interested in its work. (These communication networks may include such things as a web page, a listserv, a blog, and a directory of scholars.)
- The Philosophy of Science Association Women's Caucus Prize in Feminist Philosophy of Science is awarded biennially for the best book, article, or chapter published in English in the area of feminist philosophy of science within the five years prior to each PSA meeting. The winner receives a cash award of $500, which is presented during the awards ceremony immediately prior to the Presidential Address during each PSA meeting. The committee that adjudicates the Prize comprises the two Caucus co-chairs, a representative from Philosophy of Science (the editor or a member of the editorial board designated by the editor) and a representative from Hypatia (the editor or a member of the editorial board designated by the editor). If suitably knowledgeable representatives from the two editorial boards are not available, the Caucus co-chairs may approach other qualified persons to serve in any unfilled position.
- The Philosophy of Science Association Women‘s Caucus Prize Symposium is awarded biennially for the symposium that best meets the following criteria: significant participation by women in the symposium, focus on work by women philosophers of science, focus on topics of special interest to the Women‘s Caucus, and general quality of the symposium and the abstracts submitted. The chosen symposium shall be noted in the PSA program and scheduled immediately following the PSA Women‘s Caucus breakfast, allowing the membership to attend en masse. The winners shall also be announced during the awards ceremony immediately prior to the Presidential Address during each PSA meeting. The selection process shall be as follows: During the standard submission process, PSA members organizing symposia shall be given the option to simultaneously submit their symposium for consideration for this prize. From these submissions the prize symposium shall be selected. The selection process shall be separate from that of the PSA program committee. The committee that adjudicates the Prize Symposium shall be composed of four Women‘s Caucus members, ideally two junior and two senior members.
- These by-laws and any proposed changes must be approved by those present and voting at the biennial meeting. It is recognized that the co-chairs may have to make interim adjustments to meet needs arising during the two-year interval between meetings. If such adjustments are to become permanent, however, they must be approved at the next meeting in the manner described above.