Under-representation of women in science greater in Switzerland than in Europe
Neuchâtel, 14.03.2016 (FSO) – In Switzerland, women are outnumbered by men in the field of science and research, especially in academic careers. Only 18% of directors of higher education institutions are women. Furthermore, their participation in public and private research (for all economic sectors) is often below the European average. The situation of women is, however, slowly improving according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office presented in the report "She Figures 2015" published by the European Commission concerned with the place of women in science. An academic career starts with obtaining one's PhD. In Switzerland in 2012, 43% of new PhD holders were women, placing the country at the rear of the pack among European countries (EU28 average: 47%). However, progress is being made towards equality between men and women at this level, as in 2004, the percentage of women PhD holders in Switzerland was 37%. The percentages vary, however, greatly depending on the field concerned. Men and women are concentrated in very specific fields of study: in 2012, women represented 24% of engineering PhD holders, compared with 57% of education PhDs. Weak presence of women in academic careers In Switzerland, as throughout Europe, the presence of women diminishes the higher one climbs the academic ladder. In 2013, the percentage of women in Switzerland found among junior and intermediate staff (research associates) was 38% (EU28: 45%). For senior researchers, the highest level, this figure was 19% (EU28: 21%). Majority of scientific institution heads are men Following a PhD, a scientific career can continue with obtaining the title of rector or president of a higher education institution and by becoming a member of executive or academic boards. In 2014, 18% of higher education institutions were headed by women (EU28: 20%). Women represent 23% of governing or academic boards (EU28: 41%). Encouraging growth rates Compared with data from previous "She Figures" publications, the percentages published in the 2015 report show some growth in the number of women in science. For example, in Switzerland between 2002-2012, the annual average growth rate in the number of new PhDs was 5% for women and 1% for men (4% and 2% respectively for the EU). However, despite these very encouraging figures, gender equality in this field is still some way off.
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The Swiss Federal Statistics Office publishes information on the situation and developments in Switzerland in a multitude of fields and plays a part in enabling comparisons at an internal level.
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