Women in the Sciences

In its report issued in May, the University's Task Force on Women in Science and Engineering dramatically highlighted the "leaky pipeline" at work in academic science: its data, shown below, demonstrate that plenty of undergraduate women study the natural sciences at Harvard, and women now outnumber men in Medical School and School of Public Health doctoral enrollments. But the tenured professoriate is overwhelmingly male. As hiring increases in the sciences, the gender composition shown here may begin to change, especially if the University succeeds in its announced strategy of appointing more professors from its junior-faculty ranks, where women are more equally represented today. But that, in turn, depends in part on whether conditions for work and research improve for the tenure-track faculty.

 

 

Chart by Stephen Anderson

Click here for the September-October 2005 issue table of contents

Most popular

Trump Administration Alleges Harvard Violated Student Civil Rights

In a court filing, the University says government has ignored procedure to “inflict pain.”

John Goldberg named Dean of Harvard Law School

A professor at HLS since 2008, he steps up from the interim role.

House Committee Subpoenas Harvard Over Tuition Costs

The University must turn over all requested materials related to tuition and financial aid by mid-July. 

Explore More From Current Issue

Julia Rooney’s Cyanotype Art At Harvard

Julia Rooney’s paintings cross the analog-digital divide.

Your Guide to Summer 2025 Along Boston Harbor

Enjoying the Boston Harbor’s Renaissance This Summer