Women in Science and Engineering What the Research Really Says

1. Women in Science and EngineeringWhat the Research Really Says

2. The Summers SparkConference on Diversifying the Science and Engineering WorkforceJanuary 14, 2005 “…different availability of aptitude at the high end…”

3. Why Was Summers Wrong? • Evidence he cites is standardized math tests • Ignores the role of other factors in success as a scientist or engineer • Ignores lack of evidence for biological basis for intellectual performance between males and females • Ignores a vast body of literature demonstrating effects of prejudices and biases on their targets • Ignores a vast body of literature demonstrating effects of prejudices and biases on evaluation of the targets • Ignores the evidence that women excel at science and engineering better at other universities than at Harvard

4. In Summers’ WordsApril 7, 2005 • First proposition: “the advancement of women in science is profoundly important…” • Second proposition: “this means everyone looking within themselves and thinking about their attitudes and their judgments as they go about their work.” • Third proposition: “science is a team sport, it is a social activity, and the environments that we create will have a very large impact on the choices that people make.”

5. Today’s Panel • Are there gender differences in brain structure? Dr. Paul Whalen • How does the brain respond to social competition? Dr. Linda Oakley • What is the evidence for gender disparities in mathematics test scores? Dr. Caitilyn Allen • How do unconscious biases and asumptions affect the careers of women in scientific and engineering fields? Dr. Molly Carnes • What is the current status of women in science and engineering fields at the UW-Madison? Chancellor John Wiley