Women in science: the need for a global cultural change

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S367) ◽  
pp. 281-285
Author(s):  
Karen Hallberg

AbstractThis paper summarizes the talk given at this conference in which the cultural aspect of the low participation of women in science, mainly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas, is emphazised. A few personal recollections will be presented and some some striking numbers to illustrate the current situation will be given. In addition, some thought provoking ideas on what is known as “neurosexism” are explicited and a tribute is made to three women that overcame the challenges posed to them in different times in history (including current times) and helped paved the way to the new generation. However, there is still a long way to go. The inclusion of women and of other relegated sectors of society in scientific and technological activities is an important pending issue which will be achieved when our society as a whole reaches the necessary cultural maturity.

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. ar29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne A. Moss-Racusin ◽  
Jojanneke van der Toorn ◽  
John F. Dovidio ◽  
Victoria L. Brescoll ◽  
Mark J. Graham ◽  
...  

Mounting experimental evidence suggests that subtle gender biases favoring men contribute to the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including many subfields of the life sciences. However, there are relatively few evaluations of diversity interventions designed to reduce gender biases within the STEM community. Because gender biases distort the meritocratic evaluation and advancement of students, interventions targeting instructors’ biases are particularly needed. We evaluated one such intervention, a workshop called “Scientific Diversity” that was consistent with an established framework guiding the development of diversity interventions designed to reduce biases and was administered to a sample of life science instructors (N = 126) at several sessions of the National Academies Summer Institute for Undergraduate Education held nationwide. Evidence emerged indicating the efficacy of the “Scientific Diversity” workshop, such that participants were more aware of gender bias, expressed less gender bias, and were more willing to engage in actions to reduce gender bias 2 weeks after participating in the intervention compared with 2 weeks before the intervention. Implications for diversity interventions aimed at reducing gender bias and broadening the participation of women in the life sciences are discussed.


Bionatura ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hortensia M. Rodríguez Cabrera

Recent history shows that nothing has been given to women. Every step taken in the way of the tireless task of achieving than what is fair has been synonymous of strikes, mobilization and daring, in addition to countless repressive demonstrations against the pioneers in the development of labor and social policies for the workers. Latest studies show that while political equality could be achieved in just over a century, projections for women economic empowerment, from salaries to financial control over assets, are two centuries. 1 However, what about women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)? Taking into account that it is precisely in this area where future jobs and sustainable growth appear to be found, the search for solutions to the gender gap in STEM is more relevant. Although in recent years the participation of women in the scientific-technological professional environment has increased, there is still an under-representation. We have been the great ones forgotten or omitted, but women have also had, we have, and we will have much to say in terms of science.


Author(s):  
Jacqueline D. Spears ◽  
Ruth A. Dyer ◽  
Suzanne E. Franks ◽  
Beth A. Montelone

2021 ◽  
pp. 016235322110445
Author(s):  
A. Kadir Bahar

Analyzing the test scores of more than 10,000,000 students who participated in the Advanced Placement (AP) math exams from 1997 to 2019, this study examined the direction and magnitude of the trend in gender disparity by race in participation in and top achievement on AP Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and Statistics exams. The results of this study indicated that, in general, females’ representation in all three AP exams increased significantly. Although the findings indicated that the female-to-male ratios (FMRs) in participation in the AP math exams increased significantly from 1997 to 2019 and favored females for all races, the gender disparities among top achievers for all math exams are still substantial. The relationships between the FMRs in participation and top achievement for all AP math exams were also analyzed within races, and the possible impacts of these findings within the context of the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields were also discussed.


Author(s):  
Kristine Bauer ◽  
Lahleh Behjat ◽  
Jo-Anne Brown ◽  
Marina L. Gavrilova ◽  
Jocelyn L. Hayley ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Jeffry L. White ◽  
G.H. Massiha

<p>Women make up 47% of the total U.S. workforce, but are less represented in engineering, computer sciences, and the physical sciences. In addition, race and ethnicity are salient factors and minority women comprise fewer than 1 in 10 scientist or engineer. In this paper, a review of the literature is under taken that explores the many challenges women encounter when pursing a career in the sciences. It includes a review of the national landscape and discussion of the guiding general retention theories. Finally it proposes a conceptual framework for persistence and proffers a number of research questions designed to delve deeper into the under representation phenomenon.</p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Patrick Tod Colegrove

By actively seeking out opportunities to bring art into traditionally STEM-focused activity, and vice-versa, we are deliberately increasing the diversity of the environment. Makerspace services and activities, to the extent they are open and visibly accessible to all, are a natural for the spontaneous development of trans-disciplinary collaboration. Within the spaces of the library, opportunities to connect individuals around shared avocational interest might range from music and spontaneous performance areas to spaces salted with LEGO bricks and jigsaw puzzles; the potential connections between our resources and the members of our communities are as diverse as their interests. Indeed, when a practitioner from one discipline can interact and engage with others from across the STEAM spectrum, the world becomes a richer place – and maybe, just maybe, we can fan the flames of curiosity along the way.


Author(s):  
Laura McCullough

Women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are under-represented, and women are also less likely than men to be in leadership positions generally. Little is known about the intersection of these areas: women in leadership in STEM. To determine what sort of barriers and assistance female STEM leaders have encountered, a survey was developed asking women who are in academic leadership positions in STEM about their experiences. The main barriers were similar in the STEM area and in leadership: balancing work/home life, devaluing of achievements, and imposter syndrome. The main two types of assistance in both STEM and leadership were support from spouse/partner, and encouragement from peers. The main barriers women encounter are cultural and will take time to overcome. The main assistance women have had comes from people, not training or institutional structures.


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