Women in Science: Where We Stand?—The WHEN Protocol
Publication type
journal article
Publication date
2025
Author(s)
Arnaboldi, Francesca
Macagno, Alessia
Villani, Marialuisa
Biganzoli, Giacomo
Bianchi, Francesca
Publisher
MDPI
Language
English
View point(s)
Student Level
Geographical area
Abstract
Gender disparity in scientific fields, identified with the acronym STEM, is a
complex issue whose multiple causes have distant origins in time. In the early development
of scientific disciplines, women were often denied access to education and professional
opportunities, and their contributions to the scientific fields were frequently not recognized.
These trends of underrepresentation gave rise to the male-dominated culture in STEM
that persists today, as young women often lack female role models and are less likely to
pursue careers in STEM, perpetuating the gender gap and limiting women’s influence
and visibility in these fields. Here we present the protocol of the WHEN project, which
aims to explore the perceptions that high-school students have of scientific careers and
of the women in science, investigating whether gender stereotypes persist and can affect
decisions about future paths. Through questionnaires, this study investigates the impact of
socio-economic variables on the persistence of gender stereotypes and, most importantly,
explores the potential for reducing them through direct engagement with female STEM
role models.
ISSN
2227-7102
Volume
15
Issue
4
Pagination
1-14
Rights
CC BY 4.0