Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are often viewed as fair and objective fields. Yet for many women, these spaces are still full of hidden barriers. In recent years, educators and organizations have encouraged women to share their research in public settings to serve as role models. The goal is to inspire others and increase visibility. But what if visibility brings judgment instead of opportunity?
Merryn McKinnon and Christine O’Connell examined how gender stereotypes affect women who publicly discuss their STEM work. While visibility is meant to help close gender gaps, it can also expose women to criticism that their male colleagues rarely face. This study examines how women scientists understand and experience these stereotypes and how such views might impact how and when they speak about their research.
Methods
Between 2017 and 2018, the researchers held seventeen workshops across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Japan. More than 300 STEM professionals participated, most of them women, from 25 cultural backgrounds. Participants ranged from early-career researchers to senior academics.
Each group listed every stereotype they had heard or experienced when women spoke publicly about their work. They marked each stereotype as positive, negative, or both, depending on how it was used. Later, participants discussed how they might “flip” these ideas by viewing them more positively. For example, the label “bossy” could be reinterpreted as “confident,” and “emotional” could mean “empathetic.”
The research team collected 1,273 phrases and grouped them into 17 themes, such as credibility, appearance, confidence, worth, and deservingness. They then counted how often each theme appeared and whether people considered it positive or negative. This method gave a broad view of the kinds of labels women in STEM face when communicating their science to others.
Analysis
The most common stereotypes were “bitchy,” “bossy,” and “emotional.” Together, these made up more than one-third of all responses. Other frequent themes included being judged on appearance or being seen as less credible than men. Many participants said they changed their behavior to avoid judgment. Some chose to wear plain clothes, minimal makeup, or glasses to appear more serious. One participant stopped wearing skirts at conferences after hearing a man comment on a speaker’s legs.
Nearly every participant admitted that they had also used these same stereotypes toward other women. This shows how deeply internalized bias can be. Some women said they felt annoyed at female colleagues who were too quiet or shy because it seemed to confirm negative ideas about women being weak. These realizations helped participants see how bias can exist even among those who want equality.
Words like “too” and “not enough” appeared often. Women were described as too ambitious, too emotional, or not confident enough. These descriptions create impossible standards, forcing women to balance between being likable and being respected. A woman who speaks directly might be called rude, while one who is kind may be seen as less capable.
Most of the stereotypes were considered harmful, especially those about credibility and confidence. Only a few, such as empathetic, nice, or collaborative, were seen as positive. Even then, these traits could become negative if women did not always act in a nurturing or friendly way. The constant pressure to meet conflicting expectations can discourage women from speaking publicly about their science.
Conclusion
The study shows that women in STEM face a double challenge when communicating their work. They must prove the quality of their science while also avoiding gendered labels. McKinnon and O’Connell argue that simply encouraging more women to be visible is not enough. Being visible does not always mean being accepted. Without changing the culture that creates these labels, visibility can increase vulnerability. True progress requires addressing the deeper social norms that connect expertise with masculine traits.
To address these issues, institutions should combine role-modeling programs with training that helps people recognize and address bias. Both men and women need to understand how unconscious judgments shape decisions about who is seen as competent. Creating safe spaces where women can discuss and challenge stereotypes can also strengthen confidence and solidarity.
Tackling gender bias in STEM is about redefining what it means to be a professional scientist. Success should not depend on how closely someone fits an outdated image of authority. By confronting stereotypes, institutions can build a culture that values curiosity and collaboration over appearance or personality. When women can speak about their science without being labeled, everyone benefits. Science becomes more creative, more inclusive, and more honest.
Full Article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-020-00654-0