Equity & Diversity at USU: Women in STEM

Gender Research

Equity & Diversity at USU: Women in STEM

By Ace Beorchia, MS student, Sociology, Christy Glass Professor, Sociology, and Helga Van Miegroet Professor Emeritus, Wildland Resources

IN 2016, WE SET OUT TO STUDY THE CLIMATE FOR WOMEN SCIENTISTS at USU at all career stages, from graduate school through promotion to full professor. We collected survey data from all current STEM faculty and graduate students, conducted a census of women’s representation in departmental and college administrative leadership, and analyzed the distribution of all university and college awards for the past 30 years.

Our findings reveal many ways in which USU supports women scientists. Most women faculty and graduate students express satisfaction with their program or department. Graduate students are satisfied with funding and advising, and faculty trust in their department

heads and the university administration. Our findings also reveal ways USU can improve the climate for women in STEM.

Nearly a third of women graduate students have experienced bias, harassment or discrimination at USU. Women faculty and graduate students are also less likely than their male peers to believe their departments are supportive, welcoming, or collegial.

Among graduate students, women as compared to men report less mentor support related to career advancement, networking, teaching, navigating departmental politics, grant writing, and publishing. Among faculty, women as compared to men feel less able to contribute to departmental decisions regarding hiring and promotion, and

graduate student selection. What factors might contribute to women’s perception of a “chilly climate” at USU?

Our study revealed two areas that may contribute to women’s lack of support: recognition of scientific achievement through awards and leadership representation.

Women scientists are underrepresented as recipients of university and college awards. Men in STEM are six times more likely than women to receive a university-level research award and twice as likely to receive a college research award, even though there are no differences between men and women when it comes to research productivity.

Women’s representation in leadership

14 • Perspectives Magazine

Climate Survey

PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN GRADUATES

Report experiencing bias, harassment or discrimination at USU

roles can signal that the institution supports women’s contributions. Yet only one-third of STEM departments have women in any leadership role, and, until recently, there were no women department heads in STEM at USU.

There are several ways to improve the climate for women in STEM. First, we can facilitate women’s entrance into key administrative and leadership roles at the department, college and university levels. Second, we can implement fairer processes for award nomination

and selection that increase the visibility of and recognition for women’s contributions. Finally, we can facilitate mentor training, affinity networks, and outreach so graduate students and faculty have the support they need to succeed.

Our study aimed to understand the climate for women in STEM at USU, and our findings identify challenges as well as a path forward. Let’s work together to create a more supportive environment for women faculty and graduate students at USU.

Report receiving biased verbal comments at USU

PERCENTAGE OF GRAD STUDENTS’ PERCEIVED SUPPORT FROM MENTOR

Mentorship & Professional Development

Feel dissatisfied with their sense of community among students

80

70

While most students report positive relationships with their mentor, compared to men, women have less access to financial resources. Women also report less support from their mentor in terms of career advancement, networking, teaching, navigating departmental politics, writing grants, co-authoring papers and attending conferences.

FemaleMale

60

Do not believe there is a lot of support for women in their field

50

40

Report experiencing bias, harassment or discrimination at USU

2x

30

20

10

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Women are two times more likely than men to feel scrutinized in their department

0

PERCENTAGE OF GRAD STUDENTS WHO EXPERIENCED BIAS, HARASSMENT, OR DISCRIMINATION AT USU

Bias, Discrimination & Harassment

Women are much more likely than men to experience bias, harassment and discrimination on campus, and are less satisfied with the administration’s response to discrimination.

PERCENTAGE OF GRAD STUDENTS’ SATISFACTION WITH DEPARTMENT DIVERSITY AND CLIMATE

Department Climate & Campus Diversity

While most students perceive their departments as welcoming, supportive and collegial, women are less satisfied with campus diversity and their sense of community. Women are also more likely than men to report that their departments are sexist, that they perceive they are scrutinized and that their fields are not good for women.

40 Female Male

60 Female Male

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

50

40

30

20

10

0

“We collected survey data from all current STEM faculty and graduate students, conducted a census of women’s representation in departmental and college administrative leadership, and analyzed the distribution of all university and college awards for the past 30 years.”

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