Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Physics Today

Publisher

American Institute of Physics

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Abstract

The predominance of men in physics remains a puzzle. To attract talented women and minorities, the culture of college physics needs a makeover. In 1998, women received about 40% of the bachelor's degrees in mathematics and chemistry, but only 19% of the bachelor's in physics. That underrepresentation worsens at higher levels: The same year, women constituted 13% of physics PhD recipients and 8% of physics faculty members.(1) According to NSF, the community of working PhD-level physicists in 2000 was 84% white and 93% male.(2) What accounts for such stark numbers?

Comments

Originally published by the American Institute of Physics. Article fulltext is available online through Physics Today.

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