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Perceptions of Barriers to Career Progression for Academic Women in STEM

Author

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  • Christine O’Connell

    (Riley’s Way Foundation, New York, NY 11217, USA
    Stony Brook University, New York, NY 11794, USA)

  • Merryn McKinnon

    (Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia)

Abstract

Gender equity in academia is a long-standing struggle. Although common to all disciplines, the impacts of bias and stereotypes are particularly pronounced in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This paper explores what barriers exist for the career progression of women in academia in STEM disciplines in order to identify key issues and potential solutions. In particular, we were interested in how women perceive the barriers affecting their careers in comparison to their male colleagues. Fourteen focus groups with female-identifying academics showed that there were core barriers to career progression, which spanned countries, disciplines and career stages. Entrenched biases, stereotypes, double standards, bullying and harassment all negatively impact women’s confidence and sense of belonging. Women also face an additional biological burden, often being pushed to choose between having children or a career. Participants felt that their experiences as STEM academics were noticeably different to those of their male colleagues, where many of the commonly occurring barriers for women were simply non-issues for men. The results of this study indicate that some of these barriers can be overcome through networks, mentoring and allies. Addressing these barriers requires a reshaping of the gendered norms that currently limit progress to equity and inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Christine O’Connell & Merryn McKinnon, 2021. "Perceptions of Barriers to Career Progression for Academic Women in STEM," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:11:y:2021:i:2:p:27-:d:523259
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. R J Shellock & C Cvitanovic & M C Mckinnon & M Mackay & I E van Putten & J Blythe & R Kelly & P Tuohy & K M Maltby & S Mynott & N Simmonds & M Bailey & A Begossi & B Crona & K A Fakoya & B P Ferreira , 2025. "Building leaders for the UN Ocean Science Decade: a guide to supporting early career women researchers within academic marine research institutions," Post-Print hal-05242435, HAL.
    3. Junhanlu Zhang & Rachel Torchet & Hanna Julienne, 2023. "Gender-based disparities and biases in science: An observational study of a virtual conference," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(6), pages 1-18, June.
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    5. Andrea Paz & Carolina Pardo-Díaz, 2024. "Female researchers are under-represented in the Colombian science infrastructure," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(3), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Stavropoulou, Charitini & Viney, Ian, 2025. "Transitioning to independence in medical research: A qualitative study using a systems theory perspective," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(1).

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