Explaining Gender Differences in Academics' Career Trajectories

Abstract

Academic fields exhibit substantial levels of gender segregation. To date, most attempts to explain this persistent global phenomenon have relied on limited cross-sections of data from specific countries, fields, or career stages. Here we used a global longitudinal dataset assembled from profiles on ORCID.org to investigate which characteristics of a field predict gender differences among the academics who leave and join that field. Only two field characteristics consistently predicted such differences: (1) the extent to which a field values raw intellectual talent ("brilliance") and ( 2) whether a field is in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Women more than men moved away from brilliance-oriented and STEM fields, and men more than women moved toward these fields. Our findings suggest that stereotypes associating brilliance and other STEMrelevant traits with men more than women play a key role in maintaining gender segregation across academia.

Academic free speech or right-wing grievance?

“…[405][406][407] Such exercises might combat stereotypes about intellectual ability that drive young women out of STEM disciplines. [408][409][410] As academics, it is our job to ensure that educational resources are accessible to students of all backgrounds, but when our language fails to be inclusive-and rants comparing DEI initiatives to totalitarianism can hardly be considered otherwise-the effect is to maintain and bolster hostile environments for students and coworkers who are not White, or who belong to other historically marginalized groups. This includes the LGBT+ community, which may include as many as 1 in 5 young adults in America.…”