Female Leaders Of Science Report Cracks In Glass Ceiling

More women are attaining policymaking positions, but the pipeline issue and significant barriers to advancement remain

Women are becoming increasingly visible at leadership levels in science. M.R.C. Greenwood, the former associate director in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, likes to point out that in recent years women have headed the two most important Cabinet departments related to science-the departments of Energy and Health and Human Services. Additionally, she notes, women have held leadership roles at the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and many scientific societies, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, and the American Society for Cell Biology.

LEGISLATION: Rep. Constance Morella (R-Md.) introduced the Advancement of Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology Act earlier this month.

But does this mean that the glass ceiling-the barrier that lets women see the upper levels of scientific leadership while preventing...