A step towards transparency

Jan Bogg¹

The lot of women scientists would improve with more openness in policy and practice, argues Jan Bogg.

Policy-makers and university administrators have long wrangled over the barriers that hinder women's advancement in science. But there is one clear and obvious step many at universities and in industry could take in short order: improve transparency so that both the statistics of those who advance, and the process itself, are readily apparent.

My recent work, part of a project called Breaking Barriers, found that women, especially those at junior and mid-level grades, believe they do not experience sufficient transparency of information, policy and practice. The project included quantitative and qualitative interviews with more than 5,000 UK women working in various science posts, including research scientists, academics and health professionals.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/2010/100218/full/nj7283-985b.html