Gender gap persists in the physical sciences

Nature : Even though women make up 49–58% of all undergraduates and graduates in the social and life sciences in the US, just 20% of physics students are female. To address the gaping gender gap in the field of physics education, the journal Physical Review Physics Education Research has published a special issue consisting of an editorial and 17 papers that include discussions of hurdles keeping women from entering the field, deterrents from finishing their degrees, the dearth of role models, persistent stereotypes, lack of self-confidence, and sexual harassment. Addressing those problems might entail the introduction of explicit codes of conduct, employment of more women faculty, and improvements in mentoring and teaching. Studies have shown that diversity in educational institutions benefits everyone, because productivity goes up and work–life balance improves.