Chemist Doctoral Retention and Graduation: Gender and Predoctoral Factors

• In Event: Disclosing Women Voices Around STEM Fields and Applied Uses

Abstract

With the disparity between women pursuing chemistry bachelor’s and doctoral degrees, as well as the critical need for STEM professionals, exploring pre-doctoral background factors could help to close the gender gap and increase the chemistry workforce. This study is analyzed using variables from the Project Crossover Survey dataset (n=2,255). A logistic regression analysis is performed to answer the following research question: On average, do chemistry doctoral students that graduate, as compared to those who do not, differ in their reported gender and early background factors prior to entering graduate school? The analysis found here indicates that there should be a greater focus on pre-doctoral factors such as achievement, experiences, and financial support of females in chemistry.

Authors

• Katherine P. Dabney, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Amy C Hutton, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Robert H. Tai, University of Virginia