Meta-analysis of gender and science research Meta-analysis of gender and science research FOREWORD FOREWORD Improving working conditions and career prospects for women researchers has been one of my main preoccupations since becoming EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science. It is simply not acceptable that, at a time when we need to harness our creative potential in Europe, we turn a blind eye to the inequities that prevent women researchers from breaking through that “glass ceiling”, or worse still, that lead to women abandoning research careers altogether. I believe that it is perfectly possible to arrive at a win-win situation where women researchers and the institutions in which they work beneft. The real problem is that we have to overcome the anachronistic mindsets that maintain the status quo for fear of change. But we need to confront out-of-date traditions and practices with hard facts. This Meta-analysis of gender and science research sets out for the frst time a comprehensive view of the experience and practices in Europe and abroad amassed over the last thirty years. It shows that women’s advancement in science is too slow. It unravels and exposes the subtle mechanisms that maintain gender inequalities in research institutions, and demonstrates that the traditional view of science as gender-neutral is fawed. On the other hand, and this should come as no surprise, there is also enough evidence that science benefts from the greater involvement of women. The importance of research and innovation for Europe’s future has been recognised at the highest political levels, and the Innovation Union Initiative launched last year is a cornerstone of the Europe 2020 strategy to stimulate economic growth and create new jobs. Member States are encouraged to reform their research and innovation systems, and a new Innovation Union Score- board has been launched to benchmark progress. Let’s seize this opportunity to bring about a restructuring of our research institutions and mainstream gender equality in their practices. The Commission must lead by example, and so I am absolutely determined that the next EU programme for supporting research and innovation – Horizon 2020 – shall ensure the efective promotion of gender equality and the gender dimension in research and innovation content. Europe is currently in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis, but it is not the time to sit waiting for something to happen: we must make something happen! Our strength lies in our potential to develop a world-class economy based on research, knowledge and innovation, but we will need to fully engage the talents of men and women alike. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn 5 Meta-analysis of gender and science research Meta-analysis of gender and science research TABLE O F CON T EN T S Table of contents Executive summary.................................................................... 15 Glossary .................................................................................. 26 Introduction ............................................................................. 30 Concept and methodology ............................................................... 30 Experts ................................................................................. 31 Thematic reports......................................................................... 34 Structure of the report.................................................................... 34 1. Setting the scene ................................................................... 37 1.1 Gender segregation in science ....................................................... 38 Gender segregation in employment ....................................................... 39 Trends of gender segregation in science .................................................... 44 Gender pay gap.......................................................................... 50 Research funding ........................................................................ 53 Academic and non academic careers....................................................... 55 Beyond the leaky pipeline................................................................. 57 1.2 Research on gender segregation in science......................................... 58 Conceptual trends ....................................................................... 58 Geographical trends...................................................................... 62 Methodological trends ................................................................... 64 Thematic trends ......................................................................... 65 Gaps and key issues ...................................................................... 67 7 Meta-analysis of gender and science research 2. Scientifc careers ................................................................... 71 2.1 Choice of studies ...................................................................... 72 Old explanations ......................................................................... 72 Structural and life-course factors........................................................... 73 Socialisation factors ...................................................................... 75 Changing stereotypes . 78 Reinforcing stereotypes................................................................... 80 Boys’ atypical choices..................................................................... 81 2.2 The ‘rush hour’ in academia ......................................................... 82 2.2.1 Personal and professional choices.................................................... 84 Family-or-science dilemma................................................................ 85 Institutional constraints and departmental cultures . 88 Career ‘deviations’ and leavers ............................................................. 90 Family arrangements ..................................................................... 92 2.2.2 Family status and career outcomes .................................................. 94 Mobility................................................................................. 95 Age and time bars........................................................................ 96 Dedication and availability ................................................................ 98 Scientific productivity .................................................................... 98 2.3 Career advancement in academia ................................................... 102 2.3.1 Lack of support ...................................................................... 106 Mentoring............................................................................... 109 Professional activities and institutional resources ............................................ 112 Sexual harassment ....................................................................... 113 2.3.2 Double standards ................................................................... 117 Formalised peer review processes.......................................................... 120 Cooptation procedures ................................................................... 122 2.4 Scientifc careers outside academia ................................................. 125 Academic versus non academic careers .................................................... 127 8 Meta-analysis of gender and science research TABLE O F CON Time and availability...................................................................... 128 T EN Dual professional career system T ........................................................... 129 S Productivity and mobility criteria .......................................................... 130 Lack of inclusiveness ..................................................................... 131 Career breaks ............................................................................ 134 The vanish box........................................................................... 135 3. Gender, institutions and knowledge.......................................... 139 3.1 Institutional change.................................................................... 140 3.1.1 Institutional change in academia ..................................................... 140 New Public Management ................................................................. 140 Departmental cultures.................................................................... 143 3.1.2 New developments outside academia ............................................... 144 Biotech industry ......................................................................... 144 Hybrid professions in science/business interfaces............................................ 145 3.1.3 Sociopolitical and institutional change in Eastern countries........................... 147 The gender contract and the scientific career during socialism ................................ 148 Post-socialist transformations.............................................................. 149 European integration ..................................................................... 150 3.2 Gender analysis in research content................................................. 151 3.2.1 Theoretical approaches............................................................... 153 Gender-neutral approach ................................................................. 153 Difference