Women still face bias in science careers

Despite gains in the training of women scientists and the implementation of programs to help women overcome ingrained barriers, the career path of most women scientists at universities remains a difficult trek, fraught with roadblocks of bias, a sometimes chilly campus climate and the challenge of balancing family and work.

That is the conclusion of a group of women scientists and administrators, including chancellors and provosts, in an analysis of the issue (Science magazine).

"The good news is we've made progress," says Jo Handelsman, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the lead author of the Science paper.

"The bad news is we still have a long way to go to achieve equity."

The issue, according to the new analysis, has little to do with the ability of women to succeed on the academic science career track and more to do with the cumulative effects of bias and a campus climate that undervalues women's contributions and potential.

Handelsman says that while universities are failing to take full advantage of the talent pool of women scientists, the issue is beginning to emerge from the academic closet. "We are starting the process of change," Handelsman says. "Talking about (the problem) is the first step, and that opens up an opportunity for women to question what's happening in their environment."