Science Is Institutionally Sexist. Here Are 4 Ways To Help Fix It
Women In Science Astronauts Jan Davis and Mae Jemison on the space shuttle Endeavor in 1992. NASAA special issue of Nature takes up the rampant sexism in science. Across most industries, women are paid on average significantly less than men, and science is no exception. In 2008, the median salary for women in science and engineering was $60,000, a full $24,000 less than the equivalent male salary. And as much as it sucks that women make less than men, this is symptomatic of an even larger problem within the sciences: an institutionalized sexism that prevents women from achieving as much similarly qualified men. As the introduction to Nature's awesome special issue this week on the topic puts it: Despite some progress, women scientists are still paid less, promoted less, win fewer grants and are more likely to leave research than similarly qualified men. According to the White House's Office of...