Women In Science: Much Has Been Accomplished, But Much Remains To Be Done

Commentary Women In Science: Much Has Been Accomplished, But Much Remains To Be Done Author: NEAL LANE Date: January 24, 1994, pp.12 One of the most important and most debated issues facing the scientific community today is that of underrepresentation by women of all ethnic groups. I address the topic here in the hope that increased discourse will lead to increased understanding. The Nov. 15, 1993, issue of The Scientist contained a page- one article (R. Twombly, "Congresswomen Take NIH And NSB To Task Over Gender Bias") that correctly noted that women are underrepresented at the top levels of national science policy. Since that article appeared, President Bill Clinton, in keeping with his commitment to increase the number of women and minorities in positions of federal responsibility, has nominated Shirley Malcom to fill the only vacancy on the National Science Board (NSB). Malcom currently is head of the directorate for education and human resources programs of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Upon her confirmation by the Senate, she will be an outstanding addition to NSB. Yet, as important as it is to have highly visible role models as participants at the top levels of science and technology policy, the task we face is much broader. We must redouble our efforts and continually push to increase the number of qualified women at all levels of involvement in science, mathematics, and engineering. As a society, we must undertake these efforts because it is the right thing to do. For those who need a more pragmatic argument, demographic trends indicate that, between now and the turn of the century, nearly two-thirds of new entrants into the work force will be women. The jobs potentially available to these new working women will require higher skill levels in science, engineering, and mathematics than ever before. These statistics are quite well known; what is more difficult to identify and change are the root causes of the cultural attitudes that continue to limit the full potential of women in science and engineering. While we consider the challenges and work ahead, let us not be blind to the progress that has already been made. According to 1993 National Science Foundation statistics, during the most recent 10-year period for which data are available, the proportion of women receiving Ph.D.'s in science, mathematics, and engineering increased from 22 percent to 27 percent. In engineering, the proportion of women earning doctorates nearly doubled, from 4 percent in 1981 to 7.7 percent in 1991. In a few scientific disciplines today--such as psychology and agricultural and biological sciences--a higher percentage of undergraduate degrees are being awarded to women than to men. This movement needs to be encouraged and expanded. Although society is moving beyond the simplistic stereotypes regarding women (and members of other underrepresented groups), many of the values and assumptions that underpin those stereotypes remain. In spite of some notable progress, there are still problems at the top. Most of our scientific and technical institutions, including NSF, are managed primarily by men. And many men, I believe--no matter how concerned and sensitive they may be--have great difficulty understanding the obstacles that women have had to overcome to pursue careers in science, mathematics, and engineering. And these obstacles are compounded for women of color. We simply cannot know the discouragement that girls often experience in their homes and schools throughout their childhood, only to be followed by similar negative experiences in colleges or universities--and even in the workplace, provided they can stay with it. If we did understand better, perhaps unpleasant and even hostile learning and working environments would be rare. Perhaps the structures of our institutions would long ago have been changed. Perhaps the glass ceilings would have disappeared. Why is it so difficult to understand? Why can't we do more to change the climate and structure of our working environments? It's time we found out. Otherwise, women are not likely to be attracted in greater numbers to careers in these fields that are so important to the future of the nation. And that would be a tragedy for all of us. I call on all members of the science, mathematics, and engineering community to accelerate progress to provide women the same career opportunities as men. Let us work together to share approaches that have been shown to be effective and to explore new ideas. I invite readers to share with me their ideas on this matter--to let me know what more NSF can do. Neal Lane is director of the National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. 22230.

Women In Science: Much Has Been Accomplished, But Much Remains To Be Done

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