Comments on: Are Scientists Sexist? New Study Identifies a Gender Bias http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2012/09/are-scientists-sexist-new-study-identifies-a-gender-bias/ Ideas, innovations and discoveries from the world of science Thu, 23 May 2013 23:31:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Margaret http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2012/09/are-scientists-sexist-new-study-identifies-a-gender-bias/comment-page-1/#comment-8188 Margaret Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:26:30 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/?p=12241#comment-8188 The results of this study support my own lifetime experiences and observations as a physicist. Looking back at those I know have been hired, and looking back at how they were hired, I have come to realize exactly the problem highlighted by this study. I know of many men recruited into valuable positions through back-door recommendations, invitations and negotiations. These men have been given offers of permanent employment, in advance of better qualified women in the same environment. Men are routinely hailed as "gifted" , "genuises" "talent we must have", "exceptional", ... In the area of physics research, I rarely heard these comments made about the women who had at the time objectively equivalent records. And yes, sadly, I have noticed that this unfair behaviour was also perpetuated by women. The results of this study support my own lifetime experiences and observations as a physicist. Looking back at those I know have been hired, and looking back at how they were hired, I have come to realize exactly the problem highlighted by this study.

I know of many men recruited into valuable positions through back-door recommendations, invitations and negotiations. These men have been given offers of permanent employment, in advance of better qualified women in the same environment. Men are routinely hailed as “gifted” , “genuises” “talent we must have”, “exceptional”, … In the area of physics research, I rarely heard these comments made about the women who had at the time objectively equivalent records. And yes, sadly, I have noticed that this unfair behaviour was also perpetuated by women.

]]> By: Shantal http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2012/09/are-scientists-sexist-new-study-identifies-a-gender-bias/comment-page-1/#comment-8018 Shantal Tue, 04 Dec 2012 03:36:39 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/?p=12241#comment-8018 I can comment with regard to the existence of sexism in the computer science field. Just relating my own personal experience, as someone with a 4 year computer science degree. There were painfully few women in most of my classes, maybe three max including myself. There were far fewer on the majority of work sites I have been privy to working in. At times it is truly shocking to see the rampant under-representation of women in computer science among so many venues, all of which I can recount. This is especially true since I recall so many outstanding female honor students in the math and science arenas among my high school peer group. Obviously something happened along the way, either they were discouraged, made to feel unwelcome in some regard or otherwise prohibited from actively participating in the broad forum of computer science. I can comment with regard to the existence of sexism in the computer science field. Just relating my own personal experience, as someone with a 4 year computer science degree. There were painfully few women in most of my classes, maybe three max including myself. There were far fewer on the majority of work sites I have been privy to working in. At times it is truly shocking to see the rampant under-representation of women in computer science among so many venues, all of which I can recount. This is especially true since I recall so many outstanding female honor students in the math and science arenas among my high school peer group. Obviously something happened along the way, either they were discouraged, made to feel unwelcome in some regard or otherwise prohibited from actively participating in the broad forum of computer science.

]]> By: Marti Hokans http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2012/09/are-scientists-sexist-new-study-identifies-a-gender-bias/comment-page-1/#comment-7617 Marti Hokans Thu, 11 Oct 2012 20:11:36 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/?p=12241#comment-7617 Did anyone ask the women who participated in this about their rationale for making those decisions? I'm suspecting that many of them probably like being among the Fortunate Few and were -- intentionally or otherwise -- trying to shut that door behind themselves. Did anyone ask the women who participated in this about their rationale for making those decisions? I’m suspecting that many of them probably like being among the Fortunate Few and were — intentionally or otherwise — trying to shut that door behind themselves.

]]> By: Sarah http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2012/09/are-scientists-sexist-new-study-identifies-a-gender-bias/comment-page-1/#comment-7546 Sarah Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:04:19 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/?p=12241#comment-7546 This is very sad to hear but not surprising. As a female scientist (that is also obese), I have found it best to work with people over email so that they understand I am hard working and competent before I actually meet them in person. Then when they meet me - a very fat women - they are surprised but at least have our shared working experiences to draw upon. It is often difficult to start a working relationship in person where the lazy, less competent stereotypes come first. This is very sad to hear but not surprising. As a female scientist (that is also obese), I have found it best to work with people over email so that they understand I am hard working and competent before I actually meet them in person. Then when they meet me – a very fat women – they are surprised but at least have our shared working experiences to draw upon. It is often difficult to start a working relationship in person where the lazy, less competent stereotypes come first.

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