by Karen Guzman, National Director of Women in the Academy & Professions
“What do you do about the loneliness?” That was her question.
She continued, “The further I get in my studies--my major is math--the fewer women there are.”
The three panelists looked at each other, nodded, and one answered, “Well, that is the reality isn’t it?”
And so began the Q & A time at the Urbana seminar, “Women in Academia: Finding Life in the University,” led by Women in the Academy & Professions (WAP). Providentially, a faculty woman in math was in the audience and she quickly approached this young woman after the seminar. Connecting women like this is at the heart of what WAP does, whether at a conference like Urbana or through email or Skype. This connection allows women to support and encourage one another on their similar journeys.
This is especially critical in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields where there are significantly fewer women studying, teaching, and working. Stories abound about the difficulty for women who find themselves lonely, discriminated against, and second guessing their abilities, their passions, and their callings.
In “I Didn’t Want to Lean Out: Why I Left, How I Left, and What it Would Have Taken to Keep me in STEM.” Frances Hocutt tells her sad story. It left us wondering how she (or women in similar situations) might be served by a robust Christian community who affirmed and advocated for women in tough environments. How many other Franceses are out there whose stories we haven’t heard?
A vulnerable minority
“Over the past few years I have followed the HuffPost pages that address the gender gap in STEM and the challenges that women face. Those challenges are often greater for women who identify themselves as Christians. They have another strike against them: the perceived conflict between Christianity and science. How widespread is this perception? It is expressed by atheists who cast Christians as intellectual infants who trust in fairy tales, and it is perpetuated by Young Earth Creationists who disdain the findings of solid science. Where does a Christian woman scientist find her place in this confusing landscape?” So asks Lynn Billman in her article, “Christian Women in STEM are a Vulnerable Minority.”
As noted by the Urbana math student, the further women get in STEM coursework, the fewer female colleagues they observe. It’s an issue for undergrad upperclass (wo)men as well as graduate students and faculty. Some graduate student and faculty women discover they are the lone woman in their labs or departments.
Ways to support our STEM sisters
If we believe that God has gifted many women with both the ability and the desire to invest their lives for the sake of Jesus in a STEM field and that the university (and wider culture) will be well served if they do, how can our InterVarsity communities be places of encouragement and empowerment? How can we provide some of the support they need to stick it out in these disciplines? Here are just a few suggestions:
- Identify women in STEM majors and include conversation about their experiences as women in one-to-one times together. Even simple questions like: “As a woman in physics, do you find yourself in the minority in your classes?” “How does that feel?” “Does it impact the way you conduct yourself in class?” “Have you felt that your professors or peers treat you differently?” make a difference.
- Create a safe space for women in STEM programs to get together. Adding a grad student or faculty woman or two as a resource could be life changing for them
- Connect women--especially those considering an academic career--to the Emerging Scholars Network and The Well
- Help the men in your group(s) understand the issues and learn to advocate for their sisters
- Invite WAP to meet with your student or faculty women or your area team (to help you learn more about the issues and develop ways to support women in STEM and in academia in general)
The vision of Women in the Academy & Professions is to see women flourishing in their God-given callings and living as a redeeming influence in the academy and beyond. We believe that when they do, our campus fellowships prosper, our universities prosper, the Church prospers, our culture prospers, and God is honored. Don’t hesitate to ask us for assistance. We would love to help you serve the STEM sisters on your campus.
We suggest Eileen Pollack’s article, “Why are There Still so Few Women in Science?”, to learn more.
