Special Issue of Nature Focuses on Women in Science

Friday, March 8, 2013

Browse the March 7, 2013 issue of Nature as we think of the progress we've made, society and each of us can certainly do more.

"Science remains institutionally sexist. Despite some progress, women scientists are still paid less, promoted less frequently, win fewer grants and are more likely to leave research than similarly qualified men. This special issue of Nature takes a hard look at the gender gap — from bench to boardroom — and at what is being done to close it."

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Special Issue Contents:

Editorial

Science for all Many women are deterred from pursuing a career in science at the highest levels. Much more must be done to address the reasons behind this potential waste of human talent.

News Features

Mind the gender gap Despite improvements, female scientists continue to face discrimination, unequal pay and funding disparities (includes online interactive).
Barred from the boardroom The number of women in scientific research is going up — but where academia crosses into industry, men still rule.
30-something science What's being female got to do with anything, ask the scientists who are starting labs and having kids.

Comment

Most of us are biased Let's move beyond denial, own up to our prejudices against women and retrain our brains to overcome them, says Jennifer Raymond.
Scientists of the world speak up for equality Eight experts give their prescriptions for measures that will help to close the gender gap in nations from China to Sweden.
Quotas are questionable Measures to give women a fair chance in science should be based on evidence, warns Isabelle Vernos, or they could make matters worse.
Only wholesale reform will bring equality Providing equal opportunities for women in science requires change at every level, argue Brigitte Mühlenbruch and Maren A. Jochimsen.

Books and Arts

Weird sisters? Biographies of female scientists perpetuate stereotypes, laments Patricia Fara.

Correspondence

Evaluate gender equality in journals

Podcast

Beating the odds Uta Frith and Athene Donald reflect on their long careers in science, families, quotas, biases and stereotypes.

Dedication

This special issue is dedicated to the memory of Maxine Clarke. In the 28 years Maxine spent championing the highest scientific standards as an editor at Nature, she was all too often the only one to ask, “Where are the women?”

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Special Issue of Nature Focuses on Women in Science

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