Women In Physics & Astronomy Moving beyond "the woman problem" - changing science culture and institutions Fran Bagenal University of Colorado, Boulder Demographics Studies -> pragmatic approach Institutional Studies: MIT -> many others Affirmative Action Title IX Some good books Some great speakers Studies Sticks Suggestions { { { With help from Margy Kivelson, UCLA

Women In Physics & Astronomy Demographics statistical studies by professional organizations decline in degrees workforce pressures -> pragmatic approach “how to help these poor women” “how to train/hire/retain the talent we need to do the job”

The small number problem is critical on faculties, especially in Physical Sciences and Engineering. We find that many physical science undergraduate students complete their majors without ever having taken a course from a female professor. gives free downloads of clipart. –Search for “Professor” –One image is returned. –Surprised? From Margy Kivelson (UCLA)

Percent of Physics BS Degrees and PhDs Earned by Women ( ) Percent of PhDs Earned by Women - Historical Perspective ( ) Post-war grimness % % “Just wait, all will be great”There can be steps backwards

The Leaky Pipeline

Pipeline? Top Brass Worker Bees college grad school exciting different career post-doc management/teaching/industry faculty / scientist family WHY do people choose different paths?

The Scissors Diagram Rachel Ivie (AIP Statistics Division)

The Leaky Pipeline - Another Take Yes - graduate school is differentially leaky for women

Grad School Surveys Shiela Widnall’s AAAS President 1988 Address (in Science v.241, pp ) Surveys at MIT and Stanford in late 80s - results still valid Hundreds of responses Women underestimate their abilities, worry about career & family, feel “imposters”, get frustrated & discouraged, lack support, drop out, etc;

Solutions Don’t blame the women! Telling women to become more like men is not the solution. Change the institutional environment Excessively aggressive, confrontational style is not necessary, not productive, not fun Hire more women - non-linear phenomenon! Leadership - from the very top - is critical

Some good news!

Committee on the Status of Women in Astronomy 2003 Survey The good news is very patchy....

Where’s the Workforce? TOTAL NUMBERS OF DEGREES

First Year Graduate Students in Physics and Astronomy US must diversify to meet workforce needs

“The harsh fact is that the US need for the highest quality human capital in science, mathematics, and engineering is not being met.” Education as a National Security Imperative “Hart-Rudman Report” “… fund a comprehensive program to produce the needed numbers of science and engineering professionals as well as qualified teachers in science and math.” Recommendation

Women In Science: Recent Activity in the US Institutional Studies - Status of Women at MIT -> many others Caltech, U. California, Michigan, Stanford, Wisconsin, Space Telescope Science Institute, Princeton, etc. Pay, space, awards, responsibilities, etc. often unequal But it is as much CULTURE that drives women away - Women are less content with their work environment - 2-body problems, family issues - But also hostile environment - many subtle obstacles - Not just older generation who just can’t change - “new generation of arrogant and overly entitled young men who apparently can’t credit young women with intelligence, dedication or a future in science.”

1.DATA -Gather & post data on UG and graduate programs, -Advertise where there are women faculty & women post-docs -follow “the 60% cohort” - in % of year-old members are women - how will their careers evolve? 2.HIRING - 2-body policies, pro-active recruitment 3.FAMILIES - need flexibility in hours, careers, tenure 4.INNOVATIVE CAREER PATHS - advertise, train, take pride 5.MENTORING - describe what it is, give examples 6.INSTITUTIONAL LEADERS MUST BE ACTIVE ON GENDER ISSUES - hiring, mentorship, career development 7.BEST PRACTICES - Spread the word Women In Astronomy Recommendations

Women In Science: Recent Activity in the US “Speak softly and carry a big stick” Obligations of institutions that receive federal funds Affirmative Action - “good faith” effort, significant impact at undergraduate admissions level, less at higher levels Title IX - Show hiring/funding consistent with demographics for educational institutions to get federal research funds - e.g. Top schools not hiring women faculty in proportion to their own women PhDs - Debra Rolison articles/talks - Congress very interested

Women In Science: Recent Activity in the US Some great speakers Virgina Valian Sheila Tobias Denice Denton Elaine Seymour Susan Estrich Debra Rolison Some good books.... and lots and lots of websites....

Ask for more...

So what have we learned? Many women succeed and contribute as effective professionals in scientific and other areas of knowledge, but obstacles exist. They may be hard to eliminate but they can be minimized. A society that puts generous resources into educating women should make a major effort to benefit from the investment, a thought that has been largely ignored. Institutions can contribute to retaining women by becoming more family friendly. This would help men as well as women. It is essential to remind colleagues and administrators that diversity issues require continual attention, at least until we have a gender/minority distribution that approaches that of the society at large. From Margy Kivelson (UCLA)

Good news -women are getting faculty jobs - nationally But there are strong local variations Grad school is differentially leaky for women -> improve climate The supply to the pipeline is declining -> improve UG physics programs Women In Physics & Astronomy Conclusions

Web Sites American Institute of Physics Statistics Group cheminfo.chem.ou.edu/faculty/djn/diversity/top50.html Diversity statistics at univ. science depts. Association of Women in Science Comm. on the Status of Women in Physics, American Physical Society Comm. on the Status of Women, American Astronomical Society The 2-body problem / dual-careers U. Wisconsin spousal hiring policy

Applying Title IX to science depts. web.mit.edu/fnl/women/women.html MIT study on the status of women U. California reports on gender equity diversity.caltech.edu/ Caltech study on the status of women Status of Women at Space Telescope Science Institute ADVANCE program at U. Washington women in academia Gender Equity Program for women in academia Hart-Rudman Commission crux.astr.ua.edu/4000WS/4000WS.html 4000 years of women in science Web Sites - 2

Percent of BS Degrees Earned by Women in Several Sciences ( ) %

Degrees Granted