Navigate, Balance, and Retain: Developing Success in Mid-Career for Female STEM Faculty

根据国家科学院最近的一份报告，妇女代表人数不足主要是由于体制障碍和无意但广泛存在的偏见。在北方伊利诺伊大学（NIU），STEM学科的教师人口统计数据显示出许多与国家统计数据相同的特征：女性招聘率相对较低，自然减员率较高。为此，这个IT催化剂项目将探索机制，创造高层次的指导机会和同行支持计划，解决STEM教师的两个关键问题：（1）在职业生涯中期实现教学，研究，服务和个人责任之间的平衡，以及（2）在工作场所发展代理感。的进入和STEM学科的进步构成了本项目的理论基础。本提案的目标是收集数据，以确定问题和障碍。从长远来看，这些数据将用于识别哪些干预措施和方案将有效地在机构范围内保留STEM领域的女教师。在过去的几十年里，研究一直致力于提高妇女？和其他少数民族？参与各级STEM学科的学术生涯。当？管道问题？虽然这被认为是一个主要问题，但美国国家科学院最近的一份报告认为，管道不是女性的促成因素之一？STEM学科的进步较慢。相反，造成不平等的是文化，而不是可用妇女的数量。更广泛的影响：该项目的更广泛的影响是多方面的。 它们包括在体制一级和体制以外的影响。 预计这些数据、干预措施、模型和工具可以为更广泛的文献做出实质性贡献，并作为其他人效仿的模式。 此外，预计项目成果将使所有大学教师受益，包括在STEM学科中代表性不足的其他群体的成员。 项目结果将通过项目网站、出版物和会议上的演讲进行交流，从而对ADVANCE社区产生广泛影响。

According to a recent report from the National Academies, the underrepresentation of women is largely due to institutional barriers and unintentional but wide-spread biases. At Northern Illinois University (NIU), faculty demographics in STEM disciplines show many of the same characteristics as the national statistics: relatively low recruitment rates for women and high attrition rates. To that end, this IT Catalyst project will explore mechanisms for creating high-level mentorship opportunities and peer support programs, addressing two key concerns of STEM faculty: (1) achieving a balance among teaching, research, service, and personal responsibilities in midcareer, and (2) developing a sense of agency within the workplaceIntellectual Merit: The research literature on barriers which restrict women?s entry into and advancement in STEM discipline forms the theoretical basis for this project. The goal of this proposal is to collect the data that will identify issues and barriers. Those data will then be used, in the longer term, to discern which interventions and programs will be effective in retaining female faculty in STEM fields within the institutional context. For the past several decades, research has been directed toward enhancing women?s and other minority groups? participation in STEM discipline academic careers at all levels. While the ?pipeline problem? has been cited as a major issue, a recent report from the National Academies argues that the pipeline is not among the contributing factors to women?s slower advancement in STEM disciplines. Instead, it is the culture, not the numbers of available women, which drives inequities. Broader Impacts: The broader impacts of this project are multi-fold. They include impacts at the institutional level and beyond. It is expected that the data, interventions, models, and tools can make a substantial contribution to the wider literature and serve as models for others to follow. Additionally, it is expected that project outcomes will benefit all university faculty, including members of other groups underrepresented in the STEM disciplines. Project findings will be communicated through the project web site, publications, and presentations at conferences, thus impacting the ADVANCE community, at large.