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In the 1920s, the Institute for Sexual Research in Berlin was a haven for queer people, many of whom came to the institute seeking to express their identities without fear of being imprisoned. This undated photo depicts a costume party at the institute; its founder, Magnus Hirschfeld (second from right, in glasses), can be seen holding hands with his partner, Karl Giese (center).
Trans Medicine, 1919
German physician and sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld founded a revolutionary clinic where transgender people could receive gender-affirming care, but he left behind a complicated medical and scientific legacy.
Trans Medicine, 1919
Trans Medicine, 1919

German physician and sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld founded a revolutionary clinic where transgender people could receive gender-affirming care, but he left behind a complicated medical and scientific legacy.

German physician and sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld founded a revolutionary clinic where transgender people could receive gender-affirming care, but he left behind a complicated medical and scientific legacy.

gender equality

Geneticist Drops Out of New Role After Allegations of Gender Bias
Catherine Offord | Apr 9, 2020 | 3 min read
Constantine Stratakis, who was due to lead an institute at McGill University Health Centre, was the subject of eight equal employment opportunity complaints at his last job at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Scholars Debate Causes of Women’s Underrepresentation in STEM
Amy Schleunes | Feb 17, 2020 | 2 min read
Two new commentaries on a contested 2018 study about gender disparities in STEM fields clash over whether sex differences or social inequalities are to blame for the lack of women scientists and engineers.
an illustration of a ladder with rungs missing
Gender Inequity Persists in STEM
Shawna Williams | Sep 6, 2019 | 2 min read
A study finds women continue to be underrepresented among science, engineering, and math professors, despite making up more than half the student population in these fields.
survey diversity and inclusion activity university professor faculty institution results activities
Faculty Value Diversity, Though Time and Funding Are Barriers
Chia-Yi Hou | Jun 3, 2019 | 3 min read
A study finds professors from underrepresented groups more actively engage in diversity and inclusion activities.
a woman working in a lab
Study Finds Gender Imbalances in First-Time NIH Awards
Shawna Williams | Mar 8, 2019 | 2 min read
Overall, men received more money on average, but R01s were an exception.
Only Women Speakers at Microbiome Conference
Ashley Yeager | Feb 26, 2019 | 2 min read
Event organizers are taking criticism for choosing to exclude men from giving talks.
Huge Gender Disparity in Cancer Research Funding in U.K.
Shawna Williams | May 16, 2018 | 1 min read
Men received both more and larger grants than women did, ending up with three times as much funding on average.
Women Are Underrepresented at Conferences: Study
Diana Kwon | Apr 25, 2018 | 2 min read
An analysis of abstracts from American Geophysical Union meetings reveals that female scientists get fewer speaking opportunities than men.
Women Less Successful When Applying for Patents
Diana Kwon | Apr 18, 2018 | 3 min read
An investigation of 2.7 million patent submissions in the U.S. finds gender disparities throughout the application process.
The Forgotten History of World War I–Era Female Scientists
Patricia Fara | Mar 1, 2018 | 3 min read
As millions of men headed off to fight in the Great War, women researchers stayed behind to further science. Their struggle for equality rages on today.
Book Excerpt from A Lab of One’s Own
Patricia Fara | Feb 28, 2018 | 5 min read
In chapter 16, “Lessons of Science: Learning from the Past to Improve the Future,” author Patricia Fara examines where we’ve been and where we’re going in terms of valuing the influence of women in science.
Canadian Science Community Gathers Momentum in Improving Gender Equity
Viviane Callier | Jan 18, 2018 | 5 min read
Institutions document the effects of unconscious bias and set specific goals for gender balance.
New Initiatives Offer Jobs, Funding to Women Only
Ashley Yeager | Jan 5, 2018 | 5 min read
To correct gender disparities in academic science, the Max Planck Society and the Australian government are taking the uncommonly direct approach of affirmative action.
Max Planck Society Seeks to Keep More Women as Faculty
Katarina Zimmer | Dec 6, 2017 | 2 min read
The German research institution will invest more than $35 million in creating tenure-track positions for female scientists. 
Gender Disparity in Science Publishing Among PhD Students
Katarina Zimmer | Nov 8, 2017 | 2 min read
A new survey finds a consistent gap between men and women across numerous fields of science.  
2017 Life Science Salary Survey
Aggie Mika | Nov 1, 2017 | 7 min read
Industry professionals make more than academic researchers, but for professors, it may not be about the money.
Salary Survey: By the Numbers
Aggie Mika | Oct 31, 2017 | 1 min read
An overview of this year's results in graphical form
Synthetic Genomics Faces Gender Discrimination Suit
Ashley P. Taylor | Sep 21, 2017 | 2 min read
A former employee alleges that J. Craig Venter and others at his company treated women unfairly.
Salk Faces Gender Discrimination Lawsuits
Jef Akst | Jul 17, 2017 | 3 min read
Two high-ranking female scientists at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, claim the center is run by a team of “good old boys.”
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