Addressing gender equity in the physical sciences: Replications of a workshop designed to change the views of department chairs

Abstract

This research note presents data on the replication of a carefully planned intervention to increase the commitment of department chairs in the physical sciences to the hiring and career advancement of women. Three separate workshops for department leaders in chemistry, physics, and material science were held. Participants' views regarding factors that affect attracting women candidates, the hiring of women faculty, and barriers to women's career progress changed significantly from before attending the workshop to after attending. When differences occurred between the disciplines, changes were most apparent for chemistry department chairs. Reasons presented for these differences included variations in the representation of women in the field and elements included in the chemistry workshop that involved greater public acknowledgment of needs for change. © 2011 by Begell House, Inc.