Women in STEM Fields, Experiences of

A significant body of research has documented the barriers to full participation and success women encounter in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Despite efforts to increase women faculty in STEM at major research universities, few women attain the rank of full professor, and those who do often recount compelling stories of daily microaggressions, chilly and overly competitive work environments, and a lack of network connections to leaders and primary information sources. Women scientists also report facing harsher performance standards and having their achievements, qualifications, and abilities overlooked or undervalued. Women in STEM often are “presumed incompetent,” particularly if they are members of underrepresented groups. For African American women and Latina STEM scholars, who represent only 6% and 4%, respectively, of faculty obtaining tenure ...