scholarly journals A “Scientific Diversity” Intervention to Reduce Gender Bias in a Sample of Life Scientists

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Life Sciences ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Summer Institute ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Gender Biases ◽  
Participation Of Women ◽  
Underrepresentation Of Women ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Science Instructors

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.

Using Video to Increase Gender Bias Literacy Toward Women in Science

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evava S. Pietri ◽  
Corinne A. Moss-Racusin ◽  
John F. Dovidio ◽  
Dipika Guha ◽  
Gina Roussos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Mathematics Interventions ◽  
Gender Inequity ◽  
Unfair Treatment ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Gender Biases ◽  
Expert Interview ◽  
Underrepresentation Of Women ◽  
And Mathematics

Despite evidence that gender biases contribute to the persistent underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, interventions that enhance gender bias literacy about these fields remain rare. The current research tested the effectiveness of two theoretically grounded sets of videos at increasing gender bias literacy as characterized by (a) awareness of bias, (b) knowledge of gender inequity, (c) feelings of efficacy at being able to notice bias, and (d) recognition and confrontation of bias across situations. The narrative videos utilized entertaining stories to illustrate gender bias, while the expert interview videos discussed the same bias during an interview with a psychology professor. The narrative videos increased participants’ immersion in the story and identification with characters, whereas the expert interviews promoted logical thinking and perceptions of being knowledgeable about gender bias facts. Compared with control videos, the narrative and expert interview videos increased awareness of bias (Experiments 1 and 2) and influenced knowledge of gender inequity, self-efficacy beliefs, and the recognition of bias in everyday situations (Experiment 2). However, only the expert interview videos affected participants’ intentions to confront unfair treatment. Additional online materials for this article are available to PWQ subscribers on PWQ’s website at http://pwq.sagepub.com/supplemental

Will We Ever Close the Gender Gap Among Top Mathematics Achievers? Analysis of Recent Trends by Race in Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

2021 ◽  
pp. 016235322110445
Author(s):  
A. Kadir Bahar
Keyword(s):  
Advanced Placement ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Gender Disparity ◽  
Gender Disparities ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Ap Calculus ◽  
Recent Trends ◽  
Underrepresentation Of Women ◽  
And Mathematics

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.

Women in science: the need for a global cultural change

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S367) ◽  
pp. 281-285
Author(s):  
Karen Hallberg
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Change ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Cultural Aspect ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Participation Of Women ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Cultural Maturity ◽  
The Way

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.

“Shining Armour”: what Margaret-Ann Armour taught us about equity, diversity, and inclusion and mentorship in the natural sciences

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Jennifer Dengate ◽  
Annemieke Farenhorst ◽  
Tracey Peter ◽  
Tamara Franz-Odendaal
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Natural Sciences ◽  
Women Faculty ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Canadian Universities ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Academic Chemistry

In addition to her contributions to the field of chemistry, Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour was the foremother of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the natural sciences in Canada and was an exemplary mentor to many women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Dr. Armour emphasized that, to make progress in natural sciences and engineering fields, we also need to make advancements in workplace EDI. Dr. Armour was among the first to recognize the need to fix gender biased systems and not women. Analyses of the 2017–2018 Faculty Workplace Climate Survey, administered to approximately 700 natural sciences and engineering professors from 13 Canadian universities, supports Dr. Armour’s position. We present a synthesis of the key findings from the survey, which speak to some of the gendered challenges that women faculty members in Canada still face; and discuss the implications of these findings in light of women’s continued lack of access to mentors, with an emphasis on gender bias in mentorship within academic chemistry.

Women and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

2017 ◽  
pp. 766-798
Author(s):  
Shulamit Kahn ◽  
Donna Ginther
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Physical Science ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Stem Fields ◽  
Engineering Economics ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Women And Science ◽  
Underrepresentation Of Women ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Gendered Stereotypes

Researchers from economics, sociology, psychology, and other disciplines have studied the persistent underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This chapter summarizes this research. It argues that women’s underrepresentation is concentrated in the math-intensive science fields of geosciences, engineering, economics, math/computer science, and physical science. Its analysis concentrates on the environmental factors that influence ability, preferences, and the rewards for those choices. The chapter examines how gendered stereotypes, culture, role models, competition, risk aversion, and interests contribute to the gender STEM gap, starting in childhood, solidifying by middle school, and affecting women and men as they progress through school and higher education and into the labor market. The results are consistent with preferences and psychological explanations for the underrepresentation of women in math-intensive STEM fields.

scholarly journals Perceived Subtle Gender Bias Index: Development and Validation for Use in Academia

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nellie Tran ◽  
Rashelle B. Hayes ◽  
Ivy K. Ho ◽  
Sybil L. Crawford ◽  
Julie Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Gender Inequity ◽  
Bias Index ◽  
Gender Biases ◽  
Index Development ◽  
Academic Faculty ◽  
Current Article ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Development And Validation

In this article, we present the development and validation of the Perceived Subtle Gender Bias Index. Given the inherent difficulty in identifying and measuring the perceptions of subtle gender biases, this index provides researchers and interventionists with a tool that does not require participants to identify/label an event as a gender bias incident. We used a mixed method and constructivist approach that prioritized and privileged the voices and experiences of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The current article describes two studies: (1) index development and (2) index refinement and validation, using a national survey of women academics ( N = 882). Findings support a four-subscale structure, including perceived gender inequity, collegiality, mentorship, and institutional support. Methods and analyses support face, convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity for the use of the index among academic faculty women. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684319877199

scholarly journals Forum theatre as a tool for unveiling gender issues in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) working environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-93
Author(s):  
Susanne Taina Ramalho Maciel ◽  
Caroline Siqueira Gomide ◽  
Thatianny Alves de Lima Silva ◽  
Gustavo Braga Alcântara ◽  
Cynara Kern ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Gender Issues ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Theatre Of The Oppressed ◽  
Augusto Boal ◽  
Working Environments ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Problems And Solutions ◽  
Underrepresentation Of Women ◽  
And Mathematics

Abstract. Gender affects all aspects of life, and the working and learning environments of science, technology, engineering and geosciences present no exception. Gender issues concerning the access, permanence and ascension of women in exact sciences and Earth sciences careers in general are related to a variety of causes. The underrepresentation of women in science communications, sexual or moral harassment caused by professors and colleagues during undergraduate and graduate ages or the overloading of girls, when compared to boys, with housework during early school ages are some examples mentioned in the literature. In other words, the gender imbalance in science and technology careers may be seen as the result of a series of structured oppression suffered by women of all ages. In this context, we propose the development of an education package that is designed to understand these processes at different levels. One of the tools of this package is known as the “Theatre of the Oppressed”. Elaborated on by Augusto Boal in the 1970s, the Theatre of the Oppressed uses theatre techniques as a means of promoting social and political changes. Usually, a scene takes place that reveals a situation of oppression. The audience become what is called “spect-actors”, where they become active by exploring, showing and transforming the reality in which they are living. In the context of gender issues in exact sciences careers, the students can stage situations that reveal the subtle actions of power relations that usually put women in subservient positions. Our experience showed that, even though the acting is based on fiction, the spectators learn a great deal from the enactment because the simulation of real-life situations, problems and solutions stimulates the practice of resisting oppression in reality from within a setting that offers a safe space to practise making a change.

scholarly journals Quality of evidence revealing subtle gender biases in science is in the eye of the beholder

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (43) ◽  
pp. 13201-13206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian M. Handley ◽  
Elizabeth R. Brown ◽  
Corinne A. Moss-Racusin ◽  
Jessi L. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Stem Fields ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Gender Biases ◽  
Culture Of Science ◽  
Stem Faculty ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Abstract Reporting

Scientists are trained to evaluate and interpret evidence without bias or subjectivity. Thus, growing evidence revealing a gender bias against women—or favoring men—within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) settings is provocative and raises questions about the extent to which gender bias may contribute to women’s underrepresentation within STEM fields. To the extent that research illustrating gender bias in STEM is viewed as convincing, the culture of science can begin to address the bias. However, are men and women equally receptive to this type of experimental evidence? This question was tested with three randomized, double-blind experiments—two involving samples from the general public (n = 205 and 303, respectively) and one involving a sample of university STEM and non-STEM faculty (n = 205). In all experiments, participants read an actual journal abstract reporting gender bias in a STEM context (or an altered abstract reporting no gender bias in experiment 3) and evaluated the overall quality of the research. Results across experiments showed that men evaluate the gender-bias research less favorably than women, and, of concern, this gender difference was especially prominent among STEM faculty (experiment 2). These results suggest a relative reluctance among men, especially faculty men within STEM, to accept evidence of gender biases in STEM. This finding is problematic because broadening the participation of underrepresented people in STEM, including women, necessarily requires a widespread willingness (particularly by those in the majority) to acknowledge that bias exists before transformation is possible.

scholarly journals Empowerment of women in Science: Myth or Reality

Bionatura ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hortensia M. Rodríguez Cabrera
Keyword(s):  
Gender Gap ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Financial Control ◽  
Economic Empowerment ◽  
Political Equality ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Participation Of Women ◽  
Professional Environment ◽  
And Mathematics

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.

BUILDING A NETWORK TO SUPPORT GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline D. Spears ◽  
Ruth A. Dyer ◽  
Suzanne E. Franks ◽  
Beth A. Montelone
Keyword(s):  
Women In Science ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics
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