According to a report released by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), less than 30% of the world’s researchers are women.1 In fact, numerous studies have found that women in STEM fields are under-represented, underpaid, and undervalued. They do not progress as far as men in their careers and instead often have to deal with numerous challenges, including being stereotyped, discriminated against, and harassed. Sadly, these biases against women in research are a long-standing issue, and unfortunately, can be especially pronounced for women of color, who may face additional barriers and obstacles in the workplace. This has significant negative impacts not just on the careers of female researchers but also on the quality of research produced. In fact, male researchers receive as much as 30% more citations than women in STEM fields,2 often resulting in fewer leadership opportunities.
Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort by academic institutions and research societies to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in research and academia. In this article, we look at some ways that academic institutions and research societies can support women in STEM.
Actively promote an inclusive culture
Despite decades of programs designed to ensure gender parity, there is an implicit bias that believes women are less capable of managing a successful career in science and research – and this needs to be corrected. Those in leadership roles in the field of science and research must actively work toward combating bias and discrimination by fostering a culture of respect and support for all members. Universities and research societies must enforce policies that prohibit discrimination, create awareness on what constitutes gender bias, and provide support for individuals who experience gender-based challenges at work.
Increase recruitment and retention
Another way to ensure better gender parity is to encourage women’s participation and representation in leadership positions and on boards and committees. Seeking out and promoting the work of women and other underrepresented groups in STEM will also be helpful. The US National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation have both implemented programs to improve women’s participation in science, and many universities and companies have diversity and equity programs that create opportunities for professional development.3
Ensure pay-parity for women in STEM
According to the National Science Foundation, women in science and engineering earn only 92 cents for every dollar earned by men in these fields.4 Organizations must conduct regular pay audits to identify any gender pay gaps and ensure better transparency in pay grades. This can help them to identify areas where women are being paid less than men for the same work and take appropriate action.
Create mentorship and networking opportunities
Mentorship and networking opportunities can be invaluable for women in STEM, particularly those who are early in their careers. This will help women researchers build professional relationships, gain better collaboration opportunities, and develop strategies for navigating challenges that they may encounter as they work toward advancing their careers.
Encourage and support a healthy work-life balance
A career in science and research is difficult, and even more so for women who are often faced with having to take care of home, family, and work. This can be particularly challenging for women in STEM, who typically face barriers such as gender stereotypes and discrimination. Research societies like the American Mathematical Society and Materials Research Society offer childcare grants to encourage female attendees at conferences, meetings, and symposia. Initiatives like these go a long way in supporting women in STEM fields so that they are able to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Provide resources and support when needed
Creating opportunities for women in STEM to present their research, participate n leadership positions, and network with other professionals in their field is an important way to encourage gender-parity. Research societies can support women in STEM fields by providing resources, giving them funding opportunities, and allowing them access to data.
The involvement of women in research is essential for progress in science and technology, and it is important that we work toward eliminating gender bias in research to ensure that women have equal opportunities to contribute to these fields. Bias against women in research is a significant issue that needs to be addressed, and by taking the measures suggested above, research societies, universities, and other academic organizations can ensure better gender parity in academia.
References:
- International Women’s Day – Explore the Latest UIS Data with the eAtlas of Gender Inequality in Education. UNESCO Institute for Statistics, March 2018. Available online at https://uis.unesco.org/en/news/international-womens-day-explore-latest-uis-data-eatlas-gender-inequality-education
- Huang, J., et al. Historical comparison of gender inequality in scientific careers across countries and disciplines. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), March 2020. Available online at https://www.pnas.org/doi/pdf/10.1073/pnas.1914221117
- The STEM Gap: Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. AAUW, 2020. Available online at https://www.aauw.org/resources/research/the-stem-gap/
- Roper, R.L. Does Gender Bias Still Affect Women in Science? Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, July 2019. Available online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6710458/
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