Female scientists 'undervalued'

From: George (george_at_wtfiswrongwithyou.com)
Date: 02/20/05 

Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2005 13:25:08 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/norfolk/4276067.stm

Women are more successful than men in gaining their first academic post but feel
winning promotion proves more difficult, a new study says.
A University of East Anglia study shows men still occupy the lion's share of key
positions in UK academic science.

Women scientists feel undervalued by colleagues and discouraged from making
progress in their careers.

The study was presented to the American Association for the Advancement of
Science in Washington DC on Friday.

More than 6,500 scientists from 40 UK universities and a range of publicly
funded research institutes responded to online surveys about their career
experiences and perceptions.

Replies revealed that a higher proportion of men than women took the top jobs.

Many scientists felt that active encouragement to go for a post or take
responsibility was a major factor in seeking promotion but more than 50% of
women said they did not receive this backing.

Significantly lower percentages of women than men feel their departments value
their contributions.

Collaborative research

Women are more successful at achieving a post on their first application, yet
44% of them feel disadvantaged in terms of promotion.

Only 14% of men believe women are disadvantaged in terms of promotion. Fewer
women are actively involved in research and speaking at conferences and this is
seen as a barrier to promotion.

Jan Anderson, from the University of East Anglia, said: "We know encouragement
breeds success. But we have to ask if women do not notice the tap on the
shoulder or whether for them the encouragement is indeed absent.

"Results will enable universities and policy makers to focus on areas of change
that will improve the recruitment, retention and advancement of women
scientists."

The research is in collaboration with the Athena Project which was set up in
1999.

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