Why is the distribution of men and women in academic posts so uneven within the natural sciences?

Research on gender balance and equality in academia indicates that this is caused by several factors and that the imbalance will not correct itself over time.

As part of the FRONT project, the University of Oslo has carried out a study on gender balance involving students and employees at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences¹. The results from this project can help explain the situation and the challenges we are facing at our own faculty. The findings also corresponds with research internationally.

The study shows that women experience negative social treatment three times as often as men, academic devaluation twice as often and professional isolation one and a half times as often.

The FRONT project points out that there are systemic challenges with gender balance in academia and that women experience cumulative disadvantage compared to men. Combined, this creates barriers which make it more difficult for women than for men to reach their career goals.

¹⁾ FRONT-prosjektet