Essay finds that education may boost gender equality
4 August 2009
Called "Lost in darkness and distance: Why girls don't want to be scientists - and how the classroom might fix it", Julie Darbyshire's essay on stereotypes in science delves into the issues surrounding the under-representation of women in science careers. It suggests that different classroom approaches may provide a solution.
Gender equality is the theme of IYA2009 Cornerstone project She Is An Astronomer. Approximately one quarter of all professional astronomers are women. In some countries there are no female astronomers, whilst in others more than half the professional astronomers are female. The drop in numbers towards more senior levels suggests that scientific careers are heavily affected by social and cultural factors, and are not determined solely by ability. This loss, not least in terms of the financial investment in training and then losing women at higher levels, means that it is in the interest of all societies to ensure that these factors are addressed.
Read the full essay here: http://www.lablit.com/article/523
See the She Is An Astronomer website here: http://www.sheisanastronomer.org/
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