Why Do Female STEM Faculty Consider Leaving Academia?

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Experiences of STEM Faculty

Abstract

Attracting and retaining women in STEM is critical to increasing diversity and equity in the field. Using data from 762 female STEM faculty who participated in the 1998 HERI Faculty Survey, logistic regression was used to examine factors related to women’s decisions to consider leaving academia. Higher levels of satisfaction with their general working conditions and more favorable perceptions of whether faculty were treated fairly were associated with a decrease in the odds of considering leaving. In comparison, experiencing subtle discrimination was associated with an increase in the odds of considering leaving. Assistant professors were also more likely to consider leaving. Results from this analysis can be used to develop policies to promote the retention of women in STEM.

Author

• Katrina Borowiec, Boston College