OUGD603 - Research Brief - Summary of Findings

OUGD603

Research Brief

Summary of Findings

Response to the image of Katie Bournman on MIT’s Twitter account shows that some members of the public (trolls) are unsupportive of woman being successful in the field of physics. Trolls targeted Katie who said she had falsely claimed ownership of the black hole project. They attributed the breakthrough to her male colleagues Andrew Chael. When in fact the project involved over 200 scientists from around the world.

Chael’s response: ‘It was clearly started by people who were upset that a woman has become the face of this story and decided ‘I’m going to find someone who reflects my narrative instead.’’

This kind of sexism is seen throughout physics and other stem subjects.

For example:

·      Women in science are less likely to be cited than their male colleagues

Cites are equal to your net worth in academia. The lower the citations, the lower scientific status.

·      Pay Gap

On Average women earn 82% of what male scientists earn.

·      Unconscious Bias

Research shows science facility members of both sexes exhibit unconscious bias against women.

·      Sexual Harassment

Most common type of harassment – behaviour that conveys the impression that women do not belong in the workspace or do not merit respect.

·      Research Grants

Data shows 90% of science funding in the UK goes to male led projects.

·      Teaching Load

Female academics spend more time on teaching and public engagement tasks, and less time on research compared to their male counterparts. This carries less academic prestige.

·      Isolation

·      Microaggression

·      Underrepresentation

Primary Research (focusing on education)

·      Some universities have a female intake of only 5% for physics courses.

·      It’s very rare that any female physicist make national headlines

·      Being labelled as pushy/stuck up/ up tight for wanting to be heard in a male-dominated environment.

·      Lack of encouragement to study STEM at higher levels (A-levels/ degree)

Solutions

·      Make female role models more identifiable. Find role models within academia and local workplace, create an environment where students can get to know these people.

·      Change the accepted norm of micro aggression towards women in STEM.

·      Encourage girls to study STEM subjects, like they do at all girl schools.

·      Give school equality targets

·      Make gender equality part of Ofsted inspection criteria.

·      Gender stereotyping needs to be actively challenged.

·      Schools should appoint a gender champion for this issue to be taken seriously.

·      Re-think science clubs – they are often boy heavy – which can put off interested girls. See CERN @ School, Crest Award, Science ambassadors.