The findings, published in the Guardian (G2) reveal some startling statistics for female mathematicians. Women and girls make up:
• 40% of A-level maths students (although fewer take further maths)
• 42% of those studying for a first degree in maths
• 29% of researchers
• 19% at doctorate level
• 6% professorships.
Professor Stallard suggests that the problem, revealed in the first gender survey of UK mathematics departments, is one of career progression once women “get a foot on the academic ladder.” And that is despite women choosing to study mathematics in larger numbers than ever before.
Christie Marr, deputy director of the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cambridge, appears to concur. She believes that in a field where new research is constantly emerging it is difficult for women to stay ahead if they have taken a break to have a family. “In maths you go off and have kids and when you come back, the landscape has changed. It’s a hierarchical subject where every layer builds on earlier layers, so it can be extremely difficult to catch up.”
The Guardian article does, however, offer some hope. Earlier this year the Research Council UK announced grant funding would be conditional on effective equality programmes and there are plans for more support and networking for women studying and teaching maths. The Newton Institute is hosting a two-day Women in Mathematics event where senior female mathematicians will present and there will be career advice on combining work and family.
To find out more:
• Read the Guardian article in full
• Download the gender survey of UK mathematics departments
• Gwyneth Stallard, Professor of Pure Mathematics
• Join in the Mathematics and Statistics OU online community
Posted 22 March 2013
(6 votes)
Comments
It is important that females be allowed to thrive in maths; however, consider the number of graduates, as a whole, who are female. Look across the board and you now will find few preserves where males are actually permitted to do better in terms of graduate numbers.
In some ways, looking at the big picture, it would be a bit of a shame to create a graduate matriarchy to replace a patriarchy. The rule of natural law requires one to accept the existence, and benefits, of pregnancy: there would be far fewer female mathematicians without it!
So look at the big picture. And if you're still not happy, look at Eugenia Cheng and ask yourself if she, too, ought to be promoted in due course and to compete with Marcus du Sautoy on TV.
After all, where is Johnny Ball's successor for maths on CBBC and BBC3? Where is the mathematical competitor for "Richard Hammond's Blast Lab" and "Bang Goes the Theory!"? http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pi-day-dr-eugenia-cheng-university-of-sheffield-explains-pi-135752989.html#CI3h5FS