MPs demand equality in science jobs

THE practicalities of combining work with family are putting women off pursuing careers in science, a new report suggests.

It also says women are under-represented in scientific professions due to ingrained bias and perceptions that science-based careers are for men.

The report, by the Commons science and technology committee, says it is “astonishing” there are still so few women working in senior positions across every scientific discipline.

It warns the UK cannot meet the demand for more science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) workers without increasing the numbers of women working in these areas.

“One compelling reason to tackle this problem is that the UK economy needs more STEM workers and we cannot meet the demand without increasing the numbers of women in STEM.”

There is “no single explanation” for the lack of gender diversity in STEM industries, the cross-party group of MPs found.

“It is the result of perceptions and biases combined with the practicalities of combining a career with family”.

Many people who are early on in a science-based academic career are on short-term contracts, the report says.

“This career stage coincides with the time when many women are considering starting families and because women tend to be primary carers, they are more likely than men to end their STEM career at this stage,” the report says.

The committee calls on the government to work with universities to review the academic career structure.