International status of women in the chemical sciences

Abstract

Globally, the participation and advancement of women chemical scientists as they progress through higher education and their careers continue to lag behind those of their male colleagues (National Science Foundation (NSF), National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) 2013a, 2013b, 2013c; National Research Council 2007; Marzabadi et al. 2006; NRC 2006a; Royal Society of Chemistry 2008). Gender disparities also persist in pay, promotion rates, access to certain areas of specialization in research funding and engagement, and key leadership positions. The issue has become one of increasing concern among many nations that frame the underrepresentation of women in chemistry and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields as a threat to their country’s global economic competitiveness (Osborn et al. 2000; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2007; Goulden et al. 2009; Pearson and Fechter 1994). In the United States, despite maintaining global leadership in chemistry for some time, increased competition from Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and some Asian countries—all of which are all making more-strategic investments in chemistry research and in training—pose a growing concern for policy-makers and employers (NRC 2006b).