Earth Science, Women in

Earth science, like most of the other sciences, remains a male-dominated field. The percentage of women in the earth or geosciences steadily decreases from elementary to secondary to higher education levels and into the career level, a phenomenon researchers term the “leaky” or “shrinking pipeline.” Reasons for gender inequities in the field include gender stereotypes, gendered educational experiences, lack of mentors and role models, and work-family responsibilities that mirror those found in the other sciences. A number of organizations have arisen to attract more women to the field and improve working conditions.