Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering

ISSN for PRINT: 1072-8325

For Online Access

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2004, Volume10

Issue 4

116 pages

DOI: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v10.i4

Issue price - $42.00

Abigail J. Stewart
University of Michigan

Danielle La Vaque-Manty
University of Michigan

Janet E. Malley
University of Michigan

The representation of female faculty members in science and engineering fields lags behind that of their counterparts in the social sciences and humanities and also fails to keep pace with the production of female science and engineering doctorates. Research has shown that equity cannot be achieved by waiting for women to fill the applicant pool; instead, institutions must intervene by changing hiring practices and retention policies. This article describes and evaluates early results of one intervention at the University of Michigan: the creation of a faculty committee designed to improve the recruitment and hiring of female faculty members through peer education. One hiring cycle after the committee's creation, the authors found (a) reports of changed practices in some search committees and departments, (b) an increase in the number and proportion of new hires who were women, and (c) a substantial increase in the knowledge and motivation of the members of the recruitment committee with respect to improving the climate for female faculty members.

DOI: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v10.i4.50 Download article, 361-375 pages

Article price - $35.00

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