Men ask more questions than women at a scientific conference.
Gender inequity in science and academia, especially in senior positions, is a recognised problem. The reasons are poorly understood, but include the persistence of historical gender ratios, discrimination and other factors, including gender-based behavioural differences. We studied participation in...
| Príomhchruthaitheoirí: | , , |
|---|---|
| Formáid: | Journal article |
| Teanga: | English |
| Foilsithe / Cruthaithe: |
Public Library of Science
2017
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| _version_ | 1826293112966742016 |
|---|---|
| author | Hinsley, A Sutherland, W Johnston, A |
| author_facet | Hinsley, A Sutherland, W Johnston, A |
| author_sort | Hinsley, A |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | Gender inequity in science and academia, especially in senior positions, is a recognised problem. The reasons are poorly understood, but include the persistence of historical gender ratios, discrimination and other factors, including gender-based behavioural differences. We studied participation in a professional context by observing question-asking behaviour at a large international conference with a clear equality code of conduct that prohibited any form of discrimination. Accounting for audience gender ratio, male attendees asked 1.8 questions for each question asked by a female attendee. Amongst only younger researchers, male attendees also asked 1.8 questions per female question, suggesting the pattern cannot be attributed to the temporary problem of demographic inertia. We link our findings to the 'chilly' climate for women in STEM, including wider experiences of discrimination likely encountered by women throughout their education and careers. We call for a broader and coordinated approach to understanding and addressing the barriers to women and other under-represented groups. We encourage the scientific community to recognise the context in which these gender differences occur, and evaluate and develop methods to support full participation from all attendees. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T03:25:04Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:b8c30921-5ec1-45cb-bde0-513fe3a362b8 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T03:25:04Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:b8c30921-5ec1-45cb-bde0-513fe3a362b82022-03-27T04:58:09ZMen ask more questions than women at a scientific conference.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:b8c30921-5ec1-45cb-bde0-513fe3a362b8EnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordPublic Library of Science2017Hinsley, ASutherland, WJohnston, AGender inequity in science and academia, especially in senior positions, is a recognised problem. The reasons are poorly understood, but include the persistence of historical gender ratios, discrimination and other factors, including gender-based behavioural differences. We studied participation in a professional context by observing question-asking behaviour at a large international conference with a clear equality code of conduct that prohibited any form of discrimination. Accounting for audience gender ratio, male attendees asked 1.8 questions for each question asked by a female attendee. Amongst only younger researchers, male attendees also asked 1.8 questions per female question, suggesting the pattern cannot be attributed to the temporary problem of demographic inertia. We link our findings to the 'chilly' climate for women in STEM, including wider experiences of discrimination likely encountered by women throughout their education and careers. We call for a broader and coordinated approach to understanding and addressing the barriers to women and other under-represented groups. We encourage the scientific community to recognise the context in which these gender differences occur, and evaluate and develop methods to support full participation from all attendees. |
| spellingShingle | Hinsley, A Sutherland, W Johnston, A Men ask more questions than women at a scientific conference. |
| title | Men ask more questions than women at a scientific conference. |
| title_full | Men ask more questions than women at a scientific conference. |
| title_fullStr | Men ask more questions than women at a scientific conference. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Men ask more questions than women at a scientific conference. |
| title_short | Men ask more questions than women at a scientific conference. |
| title_sort | men ask more questions than women at a scientific conference |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hinsleya menaskmorequestionsthanwomenatascientificconference AT sutherlandw menaskmorequestionsthanwomenatascientificconference AT johnstona menaskmorequestionsthanwomenatascientificconference |