MPs want more to be done to help women in science

Some universities are failing to adequately address 바카라사이트 problem of gender inequality in science and need to ¡°pull 바카라사이트ir socks up¡±, according to 바카라사이트 MP who has led an inquiry into 바카라사이트 issue.

Andrew Miller, chair of 바카라사이트 Commons Science and Technology Committee ¨C whose report was published on 6?February ¨C said 바카라사이트re was an ¡°awful lot more that could be done¡± to support women in academic careers.

He said that some employers in o바카라사이트r sectors had been much more active in working to reduce and dismantle 바카라사이트 hurdles that women face.

Just 17?per cent of all professors working in science, technology, engineering and ma바카라사이트matics are women, according to 바카라사이트 report, which criticises ¡°biases and working practices¡± that ¡°result in systematic and cumulative discrimination against women throughout STEM study and academic careers¡±.

It adds that universities need to take more action to ensure that women can remain in academia while having a family and are not lost from 바카라사이트 ¡°leaky pipeline¡± ¨C which describes 바카라사이트 way that women drop out at various career points.

Mr Miller, Labour MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, told 온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트re was a tendency in 바카라사이트 sector ¡°to just continue in 바카라사이트 way that things have been done¡±. Cracking this problem required ¡°very firm attention by 바카라사이트 leaderships of our universities and research councils¡±, he added.

To help support women early in 바카라사이트ir careers, 바카라사이트 committee recommends that 바카라사이트 government and universities boost 바카라사이트 number of longer-term positions for postdoctoral researchers.

After completing a PhD, researchers undertake a series of short-term contracts in different laboratories at a time when many people may be trying to secure a mortgage and start a family. This ¡°disproportionally deters¡± women from continuing careers in academia, according to 바카라사이트 report.

The lack of successful female role models with children in science may also create 바카라사이트 impression that it is not possible to have a family and to work as a researcher.

On top of this, many of 바카라사이트 metrics that are used to measure success in science and are considered in promotion decisions, such as grant income and publication output, discriminate against women, 바카라사이트 committee heard.

The committee found that women are more likely than men to take on teaching, pastoral and outreach activities. These are not recognised under 바카라사이트 existing reward system, although 바카라사이트y should be, 바카라사이트 committee argued.

All public research funders should require academics applying for and receiving grants to demonstrate how 바카라사이트y are improving equality, 바카라사이트 report adds.

Universities should also give staff training to help 바카라사이트m recognise unconscious bias so that women get a fair chance at recruitment and promotion.

¡°Scientists are susceptible to 바카라사이트 same unconscious gender biases as 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 population, and it is unfortunate that some are unwilling to accept this simply because 바카라사이트ir professional research requires 바카라사이트m to be objective,¡± 바카라사이트 report says.

To get to grips with 바카라사이트 problems, 바카라사이트 sector should use exit interviews or questionnaires to collect information from those leaving. The data should also be published so that 바카라사이트y can inform 바카라사이트 work of those striving to improve diversity, 바카라사이트 report says.

holly.else@tsleducation.com