Create a free Diverse: Issues In Higher Education account to continue reading

Women in Science? Some Fare Better Than Others

Women in Science? Some Fare Better Than Others

Former Harvard University President Larry Summers created a brouhaha in 2005 over comments he made about the innate abilities of women in science. Meanwhile, concerns about minorities in science was met with a deafening silence. A study earlier this year showed that the number of

women with science and engineering baccalaureates has doubled to 50 percent since 1966. And almost 44 percent earned science and engineering master’s degrees, according to the biennial report, “Professional Women and Minorities,” by the Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology. 

But when the study looked at American Indians, Blacks and Hispanics, they found that: “Hispanics are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the U.S. and currently represent about 14 percent of the population. However, they earned only 7.3 percent of the bachelor’s degrees, 4.3 percent of the master’s degrees and 2.7 percent of the doctorates in science and engineering in 2003-2004. African-Americans, who represent about 13 percent of the U.S. population, earned 8.4 percent of the bachelor’s, 6.3 percent of the master’s and 2.8 percent of the doctorates in science and engineering. American Indians, who account for 1 percent of the U.S. population, earned less than 1 percent of degrees awarded in S&E regardless of level.”

Now that’s something to get upset about.



© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com

The trusted source for all job seekers
We have an extensive variety of listings for both academic and non-academic positions at postsecondary institutions.
Read More
The trusted source for all job seekers