Gender equity in academia is a long-standing struggle. Although common to all disciplines, the impacts of bias and stereotypes are particularly pronounced in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This paper explores what barriers exist for the career progression of women in academia in STEM disciplines in order to identify key issues and potential solutions. In particular, we were interested in how women perceive the barriers affecting their careers in comparison to their male colleagues. Fourteen focus groups with female-identifying academics showed that there were core barriers to career progression, which spanned countries, disciplines and career stages. Entrenched biases, stereotypes, double standards, bullying and harassment all negatively impact women’s confidence and sense of belonging. Women also face an additional biological burden, often being pushed to choose between having children or a career. Participants felt that their experiences as STEM academics were noticeably different to those of their male colleagues, where many of the commonly occurring barriers for women were simply non-issues for men. The results of this study indicate that some of these barriers can be overcome through networks, mentoring and allies. Addressing these barriers requires a reshaping of the gendered norms that currently limit progress to equity and inclusion.

中文翻译：

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STEM中学术女性职业发展障碍的认知

学术界的性别平等是一项长期的斗争。尽管偏见和定型观念在所有学科中都是共同的，但在科学，技术，工程和数学（STEM）学科中尤其明显。本文探讨了STEM学科中学术界女性职业发展的障碍，以发现关键问题和潜在解决方案。特别是，我们对女性相比男性同事如何看待影响其职业的障碍感兴趣。由具有女性身份的学者组成的14个焦点小组表明，职业发展存在核心障碍，跨越了国家，学科和职业阶段。根深蒂固的偏见，陈规定型观念，双重标准，欺凌和骚扰都会对妇女的自信心和归属感产生负面影响。妇女还面临额外的生物学负担，常常被迫在生孩子或从事职业之间进行选择。与会者感到，他们作为STEM学者的经历与男性同事的经历明显不同，在男性同事中，许多常见的障碍对男性而言根本不是问题。这项研究的结果表明，可以通过网络，指导和盟友克服其中一些障碍。解决这些障碍需要重塑目前正在限制公平和包容性进展的性别规范。对于女性来说，许多常见的障碍只是对男性而言并不是问题。这项研究的结果表明，可以通过网络，指导和盟友克服其中一些障碍。解决这些障碍需要重塑目前正在限制公平和包容性进展的性别规范。对于女性来说，许多常见的障碍只是对男性而言并不是问题。这项研究的结果表明，可以通过网络，指导和盟友克服其中一些障碍。解决这些障碍需要重塑目前正在限制公平和包容性进展的性别规范。