TUESDAY BUZZ: Research Universities Need to Eliminate Barriers Against Women in Science and Engineering

Sept. 19, 2006

Women faculty members at research universities are confronted with barriers in hiring and promotion in many fields of science and engineering, according to a new report issued Monday by the National Academies.

Beyond Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering was produced by the National Academies’ 18-member Committee on Maximizing the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering, led by Donna E. Shalala, president of the University of Miami.

The report urges immediate reform and decisive action by university administrators, professional societies, government agencies and Congress to eliminate institutional gender bias.

"Women are capable of contributing more to the nation's science and engineering research enterprise, but bias and outmoded practices governing academic success impede their progress almost every step of the way," said Shalala in a news release announcing the report. "Fundamental changes in the culture and opportunities at America's research universities are urgently needed. The United States should enhance its talent pool by making the most of its entire population."

The report offers a broad range of recommendations, including:

• Trustees, university presidents, and provosts should provide clear leadership in changing the culture and structure of their institutions to recruit, retain, and promote more women—including minority women—into faculty and leadership positions.
• Higher education organizations should form a collaborative, self-monitoring body to recommend standards for faculty recruitment, retention, and promotion; collect data; and track compliance across institutions.
• University leaders should develop and implement hiring, tenure, and promotion policies that take into account the flexibility that faculty members may need as they pass through various life stages—and that do not sacrifice quality to meet rigid timelines.

In addition, the committee says the American Council on Education (ACE) should bring together other relevant groups—such as the Association of American Universities and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges—to discuss the formation of the proposed monitoring body.

ACE President David Ward is ready to take up the issue.

"The number of women in science and engineering fields in higher education is clearly not a pipeline issue, there are significant numbers of women studying in these fields." Ward said. "The challenge for our campuses is to recruit and retain women among the scientific and engineering faculty. ACE, in conjunction with the other higher education associations, campuses and other interested parties, will work over the next year to address the recommendations made by the NAS committee."

The report was sponsored by the Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health, Eli Lilly and Co., the National Science Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the National Academies.

Pre-publication copies of Beyond Bias and Barriers are available from the National Academies Press.

The report garnered significant news coverage around the country this morning, including the following stories:

Bias Is Hurting Women in Science, Panel Reports
The New York Times (free reg. req.)

The Real Barriers for Women in Science
Inside Higher Ed

National Academies Panel Blames Biases for Women's Underrepresentation in Science and Mathematics
The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.)

Study Finds US Bias Against Women in Science
Reuters

Gender Still Hinders Women Scientists
The Associated Press (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Academia Told to Make Room for Women
Science