Gender and Physics in the Academy: Theory, Policy and Practice in European Perspective

This innovative interdisciplinary collection confronts the worldwide challenge of women’s under-representation in science through an interrogation of the field of physics and its gender imbalance.

Leading physicists and sociologists from across Europe collaborate to adopt a comparative approach. They draw on theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence to explore the reasons behind low participation levels, from entering the field to sustaining a career, emphasising the importance of social perspectives over biological explanations.

Evaluating policy solutions implemented in various European contexts, this book offers key insights into the world of women physicists and sheds light on their life stories.

Meytal Eran-Jona is Gender Diversity and Development Advisor at the Feinberg Graduate School, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. Pauline Leonard is Professor of Sociology, Director of the Web Science Institute and Director of the Work Futures Research Centre, University of Southampton, UK. Yosef Nir is Professor and Head of the Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. Marika Taylor is Professor of Theoretical Physics and Head of the School of Mathematical Sciences, and Fellow of the Alan Turing Institute, University of Southampton, UK.