Abstract
The physics community of practice has been active at many levels in promoting the advancement of women. However, the percentages of women in university departments remain generally lower in physics than in the life sciences. Arguments relating to teaching and research loads and work-life balance are comparable in these disciplines. This paper addresses the questions of why the advancement of women is relatively slow in physics, and why comparative numbers return to their former levels at the conclusion of initiatives to improve gender balance. Several useful concepts and recent changes are summarised. It is suggested that two relevant dominant factors that differ across these fields are perceived gender bias in the fields, and belief that innate talent is a prerequisite, combined with the stereotype that women do not possess this talent. Two global projects are cited, one of which is currently in progress.
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