Beyond Bias and Barriers:

1
Beyond Bias and Barriers Fulfilling the
Potential of Women in Academic Science and
Engineering Lotte Bailyn HGWISE March 8,
2007
2
Findings

• Women have the drive and capability to succeed in
  science and engineering
• The problem is not simply the pipeline

3
If not biology or pipe line what?

• Most people men and women hold unexamined
  biases
• Evaluation criteria contain arbitrary and
  subjective components that disadvantage women
• Academic organizational structures and rules
  contribute significantly to the under-
  representation of women in academic science and
  engineering

4
Recommendations

• Concerted effort on all sides
• Emphasis on accountability based on data
• External monitoring body
• Use of social science data on bias
• Gender (racial/ethnic) eye on existing practices
  and procedures

5
Universities

• Trustees, university presidents, and provosts
• Clear leadership in changing institutional
  culture and structure
• Deans, department chairs, and tenured faculty
• Take responsibility for attracting women and
  creating a productive environment for all

6
Other Players

• Inter-university monitoring organization
• Scientific, professional, and honorary societies
• Journals
• Foundations and federal funding agencies
• Government

7
Combining a Faculty Career with Caring
Responsibilities

• Policies for flexibility across life course
• Child-care and elder-care grants for conference
  and meeting attendees
• Use of grant monies for dependent care expenses
• Funding mechanisms for support during care
  giving, including extending grant support