Monitoring and Studies

Why do less women than men study STEM subjects? Which factors lead to the so-called "Gender Attainment Gap" at universities? And how can this gap be closed? The report "Gender Attainment Gaps. Literature Review and Empirical Evidence from IARU Universities" provides answers. In this report, Professor Renate Schubert and Ioana Marinica discuss recent literature and analyze empirical data of five IARU universities. Finally, four concrete measures to fight gender attainment gaps at universities are recommended.

The IAT-analysis conducted at the exhibition "Check your Stereotypes" indicates, that gender-stereotypes are effective in the groups of men and women who completed the IAT at this exhibition. Both groups tend to associate ¡°career¡± and ¡°natural sciences¡± more with ¡°male¡±, and ¡°family¡± and ¡°humanities¡± rather with ¡°female¡±. The test ¡°gender & natural sciences/humanities¡± additionally shows that women are less influenced by the stereotype ¡°humanities are a women¡¯s thing¡± and ¡°natural sciences are a man¡¯s thing¡±.

Description of the sample group and a more extensive evaluation of IAT.

Now and then a public debate is led about whether early external daycare is beneficial or, on the contrary, detrimental to small children. Equal! wrote a report including a summary of the issue¡¯s media coverage, a review of relevant scientific articles (status 2018), as well as information about the situation in the external daycare institutions of ETH.

Data of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office shows that doctoral graduates of Swiss universities perceive research in their fields and family responsibilities as rather irreconcilable. Are ETH¡¯s professors likewise skeptical?

A surveyof ETH¡¯s professors conducted by Equal! reveal that they also feel a irreconcilability of their research (as well as their professorship) and family responsibilities. Nevertheless or exactly for that reason, they support their team members accomplishing the reconciliation problem.

ETH Zurich already implemented different measures for supporting the reconciliation of work and family and which foster a positive relation of excellence and family-friendliness. In 2016, further measures were implemented.

In 2015, Equal wrote a review of various scientific articles on the topic of gender and teaching at universities. The review focuses on these central aspects: curricula, individual teaching sessions and assessments.

In the review article, a table with relevant scientific papers on the topic of "gender and teaching" as well as fields of action for the better incorporation of gender aspects in university teaching can be found.

Between April and June 2015, the Equal! Office conducted a pilot study together with the ¡°Competence Center for Diversity and Inclusion¡± of the University of St. Gallen (HSG). The goal was to learn more about the specific problems that female (post-)doctoral researchers that are pregnant or mothers of small children encounter. Measures with potential to improve the reconciliation of (post-)doctoral research and family will be developed for ETH Zurich based on the corresponding results. For the study, 22 extensive, anonymous single interviews were conducted with female doctoral or postdoctoral researchers and their respective supervisors.

The study revealed that more childcare possibilities and clearly defined expectations of (post-)doctoral researchers and their supervisors concerning the future career path of the young women would help. ETH has already reacted. Starting in August 2016, 80 additional daycare places will be provided at the campus H?nggerberg. In addition, the Human Resource Department is developing a guideline for discussions between (post-)doctoral researchers and their supervisors that clearly specify which commitments both sides make for the phase during and after the pregnancy of a (post-)doctoral researcher.

Why do young researchers leave the ETH Zurich? In the period from January 2011 to October 2012, we surveyed scientists who have left ETH Zurich after their doctorate or at a later point of time in their career. We asked them to give a feedback on why they leave ETH Zurich, where they are going and what image of the ETH Zurich they take with them.

Why Do Matura Graduates (Not) Opt for Studies at ETH Zurich? In 2011, Equal! interviewed more than 600 Matura graduates from Swiss upper secondary schools regarding their choice of what and where they would like to study and, in particular, their perception of ETH Zurich. The results provide valuable information on what ETH can do in order to become more attractive for female and male students.