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Gender, race-ethnicity and postdoctoral hiring in STEMM fields
Kimberlee A Shauman1, Jill Huynh2
1Department of Sociology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
Social Science Research
|May 25, 2023
Summary
Postdoctoral hiring in STEMM fields shows disparities based on gender and race-ethnicity. Network connections significantly influence these hiring inequities, impacting diversity in the scientific workforce.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Sociology of Science
- STEMM Workforce Diversity
Background:
- Postdoctoral training is increasingly essential in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) fields.
- The influence of postdoctoral hiring on workforce inclusion and diversity is substantial.
- However, research on the specific hiring processes for postdoctoral positions remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze the relationship between gender, race-ethnicity, and postdoctoral hiring.
- To identify factors contributing to hiring disparities in STEMM postdoctoral recruitments.
- To explore how hiring processes may vary based on applicant and committee demographics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized status theory to analyze data from 769 postdoctoral recruitments.
- Examined differences in application rates, consideration, interviews, and offers by gender and race-ethnicity.
- Assessed the correlation between hiring disparities and network connections, referrer prestige, and academic human capital.
Main Results:
- Observed significant differences in application rates and hiring outcomes (consideration, interview, offer) by gender and race-ethnicity.
- Hiring disparities were correlated with disparities in network connections, referrer prestige, and academic human capital.
- Network connections emerged as the most powerful factor explaining hiring disparities.
- Hiring processes demonstrated variations based on applicant gender/race-ethnicity and search committee chair demographics.
Conclusions:
- Gender and race-ethnicity significantly impact postdoctoral hiring processes and outcomes in STEMM.
- Network connections play a critical role in perpetuating hiring disparities.
- Further research is needed to understand and address these inequities to foster greater diversity and inclusion in STEMM postdoctoral training.
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