Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Science in the European Union: The ‘ETAN Report’

Abstract

This article examines the position of women in science in academe in the European Union. It draws upon some of the data collected for the 'ETAN' (European Technology Assessment Network) report, Science Policies in the European Union: promoting excellence through mainstreaming gender equality, published recently by the European Commission. The data demonstrate how irrespective of discipline, proportion of female undergraduates in the discipline, and country, women leave scientific careers in disproportionate numbers at every stage, but particularly after the post-doctoral level. The article outlines three approaches to developing gender equality: equal treatment, positive action and gender mainstreaming, and shows how the position of women in science might be improved by the application of these three approaches by universities and research institutes. It concludes by asking some questions about whether more women at the top in science would make a difference to how science is done, what science is done and what is regarded as excellent in science.