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Often the term “women” is assumed to include women of color in the same way as the terms “African American” and “Hispanic” are assumed to include both women and men. Although women of color and non-Hispanic white women are under represented in the science labor force, the rates of and factors contributing to this under representation differ by race and ethnicity. Consequently, disaggregating data on women in science by race and ethnicity is crucial to capture these differences. Such distinctions are critical to developing effective policy, practice, and programs to increase the participation of women in science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduces essays about women in science, published in a special issue of the journal "Minerva." Issues of inequality; Exploration of the social structure of science and its receptivity to women; Research on the state of women in science in contrasting social, political and economic systems in Europe, North America, South America and Asia.

This article considers the situation of women in science in Germany. We argue that scientific organizations play a crucial role in shaping science careers, often with different consequences for men and women. To sustain the argument, we offer a study of the careers of male and female scientists in the Max Planck Society. Our findings show that external support increases career options and opportunities for men, but not for women scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science is an intensely social activity. Professional relationships are essential for scientific success and mentors are indispensable for professional growth. Despite the scientific ethos of universalism and inclusion, American women scientists frequently experience isolation and exclusion at some time during their academic career. By contrast, male scientists enjoy informal but crucial social networks. Female scientists develop necessary strategies and defences, but many leave or achieve less success in science when deprived of necessary interpersonal connections. There is indication that change within departments is occurring, but this is dependent upon institutional leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science and engineering remain male-dominated professions in Canada and elsewhere. This is a disheartening fact for a society dedicated to providing equality of education and opportunity, and protection of the right to physical and psychological security of the person to all its citizens. Canadian women comprise 51% of the populations yet still hold down, on average, less than 10% of all jobs in the basic and applied sciences. Few women are found in the upper strata of the science hierarchy, whether judged by income, by rank within the relevant professions, or by inclusion in the structures of government, industry, education or professional institutions which formulate science policy. "The evidence is compelling that science as both power and knowledge is 'firmly located in white, Western, bourgeois, (compulsorily heterosexual) men's hands.' " [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on women scientists in Japan. Lack of women in senior research positions; Description of overt and covert sexual discrimination in Japan; How women do not fight for equality because they fear such action will adversely affect their careers. INSET: Favoured in a foreign land.

The article discusses the role of Massachusetts-based nonprofit advocacy organization the National Association for Women in Science (AWIS) regarding offering opportunity for women in professional development in scientific and technical careers in Massachusetts. Topics discussed include the AWIS' support to women for STEM education; the AWIS' help to women scientists to expand their network, build their leadership and management skills; and the MASS AWIS Mentoring Circle program.

The article presents the author's views on gender bias against women in the field of science. She says that she herself is a woman scientist, mentor and advocate for women in science. However, she says that her performance on the Implicit Association Test revealed that unconscious, she associates men with science and career. She says that such tests show that most people are biased against women's abilities. She says that now its time to understand these prejudices and try to overcome them.

This article studies reasons as to why women drop out of research works due to family affairs, monetary problems and responsibilities. The article gives information about the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), which supports scientists who take time to rear family. The EMBO restart grants are just one of a handful of fellowships in Europe and the U.S. intended to kick-start a scientific career after a break. Others include the UK's Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships, the Swiss National Science Foundation's Marie Heim-Vogtlin grants, and ADVANCE fellowships from the U.S. National Science Foundation. The fellowships aim to patch what was been called the "leaky pipeline" for women in science.

Discusses the disparity in status in academic science between men and women in the United Kingdom. Profile of female astronomer Caroline Herschel; Several reviews of women's pay and conditions, including the Bett Report; Initiatives aimed at attracting women to science careers; Call for more research to discover why women are not fully participating in science.

Discusses sexual equality in science, which is far from being reached. Report issued by the dean of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which examined the working conditions of senior female faculty in the United States; Effects of the report; Analysis of women's place in various fields of science; Another report investigating sexual equality in Sweden. INSET: Europe faces up to its responsiblities.

The author discusses ways to combat gender inequality in science, specifically biomedical research. Topics include the offering of workplace services such as breastfeeding rooms and scheduling of meetings during school hours, financial assistance to female scientists for child care both at home and during business travel, and requiring an equal number of women speakers at conferences and workshops as men speakers.

Several blogs are presented in response to the article about the gender gap in science and sexism on women scientists.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article about the statistics of women in science as hard evidence for bias, that was published in volume 495 2013 issue of "Nature."

The article presents an introduction to articles published in this issue including an article on a particular dearth of women in some commercial spheres, another on wearying stereotypes perpetuated by the biographers of women scientists and an article on solutions to reduce biases against women in science.

The author discusses the need to expose notable women scientists. The author cites that entries for women scientists at the Wikipedia and in Royal Society's library in Great Britain should be improved and should not be only comprehensive but also accurate. The author states that the profile of women in science must be raised continuously just like in Olympic Games wherein the contributions of women are important as men.

The article presents information on the treatment of Japanese women in the area of Japanese science. Since 2006, the science ministry has funded ten new centres each year to develop comprehensive programmes for supporting women scientists. It is stated that the biggest change took place in 2006 when a new budget to promote women in science came. Also women are now allowed by funding regulations the extended maternity leave for the postponement of grants rather than losing them. The author says that many problems have an impact on Japanese women and men in the same manner.

The article reports on the foundation launched on December 2004 that aims to help women scientists with children in Germany. Christiane Nüsslein-Volahard decided to help graduate students who considered dropping out of science to care for their child by establishing the foundation. The monthly stipend received by the recipients can be applied toward cooking and cleaning costs or additional childcare.

Reports that lack of affordable child care is a major impediment to women's career. Careers of women scientists; Encouraging of girls to do science in schools; Efforts to address the affordability issue.

Profiles scientist Leslie Osborne. Career history; Achievements; Educational background.

Focuses on view of Harvard University president Larry Summers about the differences in the intrinsic aptitude between men and women scientists. Suggestion that Summers' remarks is covert way to advance women scientists' issues; Factors cited for the dismal statistics of women in science; Highlights of the report of the American Institute of Physics suggesting that the percentage of women holding faculty positions in physics and astronomy is fewer compared with some other fields.

The article reports on the Harvard University's president Larry Summers's comments about women in science. Summers had told everyone that women should pack up their handbag and head home to the kids, clearly biologically incapable of rivalling men in this intellectually thorny field. There is no transcript of the speech he made at an academic meeting. But by most accounts, he talked about potential reasons why so few women reach top positions in science and engineering. The latest debate about gender inequality has provided an opportunity to look afresh at the causes and potential solutions.

Introduces a special issue of the journal "Minerva," about women in science. Women's encounters with prejudice and disadvantage in the course of their careers; Implementation of policies that are intended to make certain choices compatible with the conduct of active scientific lives; Authors contributing to the issue.

Comments on women scientists in Japan. Impact of Japanese culture on the advancement of Japanese women in science; Japanese attitudes toward female workers; Efforts of the Japanese government to increase the number of women in research.

Editorial. Agrees with the European Commission's urging of the networks of women-in-science groups to form an assemblage large enough, and with enough tentacles, to apply pressure in many of the right places around Europe. Mention of the World Conference on Science, 1999; Achievements of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) in the United States; Outlook of the Declaration of Networks Active in Europe.

Focuses on British science minister Lord David Sainsbury's Athena Project to promote women in science. Goals of the project, including observing an increase in the number of women recruited to all levels of the academic community; The need for financial support to project supporters; Project director Susan Bullivant's role.

Reports on the program by the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) supporting younger women scientists. Encouragement of a greater business perspective among science students at Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley and at San Francisco by the Palo Alto chapter of AWIS; Plans for extending the mentor's services to women scientists working in biotechnology and high technology companies; Aims of the AWIS.