In 1848, women in Seneca Falls, N.Y. took the first step toward achieving gender equity in America. These women held the first formal women's convention to discuss women's rights and suffrage in America. Surprisingly, 157 years later, bias toward women still exists, particularly in the field of science, according to a report released in August.
A group of researchers reported in the Aug. 19 edition of the journal Science that women in the science field face "hostility and a lack of respect that all combine to hold them back."
For some at The U of M, this theory may hold true.
An interview with two U of M graduate students who are studying in science fields revealed that some hold the belief that there is discrimination among the faculty, staff and students. These students asked not to be named for fear of retribution from science faculty.
"There is definite gender bias and not just between professors and students, but also between students and students," said one graduate student. "There is a lot of competition within the departments."
As this student looked over her shoulder, another student chimed in.
"It's going to be harder for women in any field," the other student said. "Women have to fight 10 times harder."
One professor in The U of M science department had a different view.
"Sure there is some [bias and discrimination] but I do not feel it is prevalent in the U of M department," said Abby Parrill, associate professor of chemistry. Parrill added that when and if it occurs on campus it is most likely subtle because she has not become aware of it.
"I was promoted two years earlier [at The U of M] than the standard tenure timeline," she said.
The students said that most science organizations have groups devoted to the recruitment and retention of women in the science fields, such as American Women in Science (AWIS).
AWIS is a non-profit organization established in 1971 to promote women's rights. Its goal is to promote women's activities in all scientific fields.
The group launched The Mentoring Project in 1990 as a way to increase the number of women who study and work in the science field. The project provides one-on-one mentoring activities in such forms as phone calls, e-mails, recreational activities and conferences. It also addresses topics that affect women scientists, such as career options, research opportunities, self-image and self-confidence, balancing work and family and networking.
"AWIS has been a mainstay for activities focused on women scientists," said Anne Petersen, a former AWIS counselor. "It continues to be an essential organization playing an essential leadership role."
"Women, science and leadership are words that are not combined as often as they should be," Petersen said.
Jane Henrici, U of M associate professor of anthropology, found that the number of women in anthropologic academia has grown since she began graduate school.
"However, repeated research shows that bias continues to affect women's salaries and opportunities in the sciences even when factoring in individuals' choices, such as to delay professional development while raising children," she said.
Henrici also said that there are many studies on the topic and pointed to one article by Donna Ginther released in December entitled "Women, Work and the Academy."
In her article, Ginther, associate professor of economics at the University of Kansas, cites research that supports the theory that "women in science earn less, and are less likely to be tenured than men."
