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Women Scientists in Industry and Government How Much Progress in the 1970's? ( An Interim Report to the Office of Science and Technology Policy From the Committee on the Education and Employment of Women in Science and Engineering Commission on Human Resources 'National Research Council NATlONAL ACADEMY OF SClENCES Washington, D.C. 1980 51980 UBRAR/
NOTICE The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the Councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the Committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance. This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. ftl^International Standard Book Number 0-309-03023-4 ixLibrary of Congress Card Catalog Number 80-80079 Available from: of Publications, National Academy of Sciences 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W. , Washington, D.C. 20418 Printed in the United States of America Order from National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va. 22l81 Order No.
COMMITTEE ON THE EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING S. HORNIG, Chair Executive Director, Higher Education Resource Services Wellesley College M. Elizabeth TIDBALL, Vice-Chair Professor of Physiology George Washington University Medical Center Jewel Plummer COBB Dean Douglass College Eleanor I. FRANKLIN Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Howard University College of Medicine Gertrude S. GOLDHABER Senior Physicist Brookhaven National Laboratories Nancy C. AHERN, Staff Officer Vera KISTIAKOWSKY Professor of Physics Massachusetts Institute of Technology Barbara F. RESKIN Associate Professor of Sociology Indiana University David Z. ROBINSON Vice President Carnegie Corporation of New York Neena B. SCHWARTZ Deering Professor and Chairman Department of Biological Sciences Northwestern University Elizabeth L. SCOTT Professor of Statistics University of California, Berkeley Robert J. SLATER Director of Medical Programs National Multiple Sclerosis Society iii
PREFACE The Committee on the Education and Employment of Women in Science and Engineering was appointed by the Commission on Human Resources in December 1974. Its charge was to examine the social and institutional constraints that limit the participation of women in science and engineering and to serve as a focus for efforts to improve their utilization. Since September 1977, the Committee's studies have been supported by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President. The Committee's first report to the OSTP entitled Climbing the Academic Ladder: Doctoral Women Scientists in Academe was published in April 1979. Included in the report were recommendations for improved utilization of women in faculty, postdoctoral, and advisory appointments. This second, briefer report concerns the status of women scientists and engineers in private industry and the federal government. In particular, it examines the extent to which their employment situation has improved since the advent of affirmative action mandates. The report consists primarily of analyses of the available data on doctoral women. A more intensive study, examining industry hiring of women scientists at all degree levels and recommendations concerning their recruitment is now being planned. Since its inception, the Committee has been chaired by Dr. Lilli S. Hornig, Executive Director, Higher Education Resource Services, Weliesley College.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Committee wishes to thank Gilbert S. Omenn, Associate Director for Human Resources and Social and Economic Services, Office of Science and Technology Policy, who has been the responsible liaison officer and has generously contributed to the work of the Committee. Nancy C. Ahern, of the Commission on Human Resources served as Staff Officer for the study. Harrison Shull, Chairman, and William C. Kelly, Executive Director of the Commission, provided valuable guidance and support. Hilda H. Vaivada, formerly administrative assistant to the Committee, was helpful in the early stages of the project. Michele R. Renfroe had responsibility for preparation of the final manuscript. Staff of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management who assisted in providing data and helpful suggestions include Robert Penn, Workforce Analysis and Statistics Division, and Ruth Cullen, Office of Affirmative Employment Programs. To these and all others who aided in the preparation of this report, the Committee expresses its sincere thanks. vi
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 4 PART 1 DOCTORAL WOMEN SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS IN INDUSTRY .... 7 Supply of Women Ph.D.s 7 Employment Trends 8 Utilization by Field 9 Profile by Industry 10 Women Managers ll Salaries 14 Educational Background 18 Financial Support During Graduate School 19 Quality of Men and Women Ph.D.s 19 Postdoctoral Training 20 Industry Hiring 21 Summary and Discussion 22 PART 2 WOMEN SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT . . 25 Utilization by Field 26 Grade Distribution 27 Senior-Level Positions 31 Promotions Between 1974 and 1978 31 Salary Increases 33 Women in Management 34 New Hires 34 Summary and Discussion 37 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 39 APPENDICES . - ... ... .43 vii
