Statement: Gender Bias in Student Course Evaluations

Lehigh University utilizes standardized student course evaluations in the review of Lehigh faculty for merit raises, re-appointment, tenure, promotion, and also for hiring of candidates for open faculty positions. There have been numerous articles about the shortcomings of using student evaluations of faculty teaching. Recent research highlights gender bias may be embedded in these teaching evaluations. Therefore, Lehigh ADVANCE is concerned about the impact such biases have on faculty advancement, especially if unconscious assumptions go unchecked.  The Lehigh Men Advocates for Gender Equity reviewed the research and wrote a Statement on Gender Bias in Student Course Evaluations for the Lehigh community. Faculty, especially those on tenure and promotion review committees, department chairs and deans will all get a copy of this new document from the Provost in the coming days.