Specials

See all specials

Women in Science

Science remains institutionally sexist. Despite some progress, women scientists are still paid less, promoted less frequently, win fewer grants and are more likely to leave research than similarly qualified men. This special issue of Nature takes a hard look at the gender gap — from bench to boardroom — and at what is being done to close it.

Image credit: Viktor Koen

Editorial

  • Science for all

    Many women are deterred from pursuing a career in science at the highest levels. Much more must be done to address the reasons behind this potential waste of human talent.

    Nature ( )

News Features

  • Mind the gender gap

    Despite improvements, female scientists continue to face discrimination, unequal pay and funding disparities (includes online interactive).

    Nature ( )

  • Barred from the boardroom

    The number of women in scientific research is going up — but where academia crosses into industry, men still rule.

    Nature ( )

  • 30-something science

    What's being female got to do with anything, ask the scientists who are starting labs and having kids.

    Nature ( )

Comment

  • Most of us are biased

    Let's move beyond denial, own up to our prejudices against women and retrain our brains to overcome them, says Jennifer Raymond.

    Nature ( )

  • Quotas are questionable

    Measures to give women a fair chance in science should be based on evidence, warns Isabelle Vernos, or they could make matters worse.

    Nature ( )

Books and Arts

  • Weird sisters?

    Biographies of female scientists perpetuate stereotypes, laments Patricia Fara.

    Nature ( )

Correspondence

Podcast

  • Beating the odds

    Uta Frith and Athene Donald reflect on their long careers in science, families, quotas, biases and stereotypes.

    Nature ( )

Dedication

  • This special issue is dedicated to the memory of Maxine Clarke. In the 28 years Maxine spent championing the highest scientific standards as an editor at Nature, she was all too often the only one to ask, “Where are the women?”