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Women entering life sciences are treated less well than men

Numbers of women applying for life science degrees, like biology, have generally been equal to the numbers of male applicants over the past couple of decades. However, new figures suggest that the rate of female applicants is falling. The low level of women seeking to enter the biological sciences has been referred to as “a leaky pipeline” by the authors of a new study.

Writing in an article titled “The Status of Women in the Life Sciences,” Jan Peters and colleagues argue that promoting and encouraging women to work in areas like physics and engineering has been disproportionate and more resources and initiatives have been orientated towards these areas at the detriment of the life sciences.

Here the authors write: “Women in the life sciences seem to attract less concern and attention than women in physics” and that “more attention needs to be paid to the career planning and professional preparation of young women, so that more will be able to progress to senior positions and decision‐making roles.”

The need for action is placed at the door of universities, schools, employers and the government.

This latest report slightly contradicts a U.S. study which argues that all women in science are doing well. A review by Cornell University found that women applying to jobs in science at universities have a two-fold better chance of getting the job than men. This was according to a hiring simulation.

A further study in this area has found that the numbers of women quitting science has slowed down and is now on par with men. However, given that more women have left such professions than men over the past thirty years, a considerable period of time is needed to redress this balance.

In related gender news, a report suggests that women executives make for better managers than men. This finding has, according to the Economist, caused a range of different opinions, some in support, some against, and some arguing that it all comes down to the individual irrespective of whether they are male or female.

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Written By

Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

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