We found flagrant examples of inequality that included ... an early career researcher deciding to undergo an abortion.Associate Professor Ana Vila-Concejo
Cartoon created to accompany this body of work. Top of page: Associate Professor Ana Vila-Concejo in the Maldives.
A group of international female scientists has taken a close look at their profession and discovered the barriers to success – while also pinpointing the sometimes simple changes that can be made – to attract more women into innovative industries and make the world a better place.
The researchers are part of the committee for the international network working for women in coastal geoscience and engineering (WICGE) – spanning Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Spain. They found that although women make up almost a third of the coastal geoscience and engineering (CGE) community, they represent only about one in five of its prestige roles.
The researchers analysed the gender representation in the boards and committees of nine societies, 25 journals, and 10 conferences; additionally, they launched a global survey and obtained responses from 314 people.
The findings are published today in Nature Publishing Group’s social sciences journal, Palgrave Communications.
Lead and corresponding author Associate Professor Ana Vila-Concejo, who is co-leader of the University of Sydney’s Geocoastal Research Group and deputy director of the One Tree Island research station on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, said the solutions and suggestions were relevant for women in science and more generally.
"Our findings are important not only for our field of research but also for other fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – and beyond," said Associate Professor Vila-Concejo, from the School of Geosciences.
"Reading the survey responses was harder than we had anticipated; I could not read all the responses in one go as I was in tears.
"We found flagrant examples of inequality that included dramatic decisions such as an early career researcher deciding to undergo an abortion out of fear of jeopardising her chances of securing an academic position," Associate Professor Vila-Concejo recalls.
Some things holding women back
Gender stereotyping – was amongst the most common manifestation of inequality in CGE. Stereotyping of women in STEM as not being as competent (or being incompetent), and not being taken seriously, is a key theme.
The "boys club" – in the experience of one survey respondent: "During a job interview, the lead engineer (male) was explaining how they have the 'boys club' here at the office. They did offer me the job, but I didn't want to work in that type of environment."
The "maternal wall" results from expectations that a woman’s job performance is affected by her having children.
Microaggressions and harassment - being overlooked and ignored in favour of male colleagues was a key issue. For example, one respondent noted: "Getting my first big grant and employing a male post doc – our project partners treated him as the boss." Another respondent recalled comments about looks, such as "comments on my ‘pretty face’ being an asset for attracting clients".
Key findings
- Women represent 30 percent of the international CGE community, yet there is under-representation in prestige roles such as journal
