Women in chemistry: remarkable progress, but are we there yet?
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Marinda Li Wu
Abstract
The chemistry enterprise continues to evolve, becoming increasingly more diverse and inclusive. Likewise, opportunities and roles for women in the chemistry enterprise have evolved. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, women faced tremendous obstacles pursuing a career in chemistry. Through determination, hard work – and with some good fortune – a few pioneering role models were able to overcome challenges. Countless women have followed in their footsteps. For example, the percentage of PhDs in science awarded to women in the United States has quadrupled over the past 50 years to over 30 %. In addition, the frequency of women elected to professional chemical society leadership or awarded a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry has increased significantly over the past 25 years, even accelerating in the last 5–10 years. Yet, the progress is uneven and much remains to be done to reach gender parity. There are major differences across countries in representation by women researchers in science and technology. In addition, there are significant gender gaps in faculty at top global universities in chemistry departments, as well as in governance at the largest publicly traded U.S. chemical companies. Moreover, progress is needed to reach gender equity in U.S. chemist compensation. However, I am optimistic that women will continue to progress and move towards parity. Like previous women leaders of the global chemistry enterprise, tomorrow’s successful women will have the passion, courage, and determination to overcome challenges and achieve the equity and opportunities they deserve.
Supplementary Material
This article contains supplementary material (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2023-0906).
© 2023 IUPAC & De Gruyter
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- IUPAC Distinguished Women in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Awards 2023
- Special topic papers
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- IUPAC Recommendations
- Definition of the pnictogen bond (IUPAC Recommendations 2023)
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- IUPAC Distinguished Women in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Awards 2023
- Special topic papers
- Catalytic oxidative carbon–carbon bond-formations of benzene-1,2-diols
- Supramolecular assemblies with macrocyclic hosts: applications in antibacterial activity
- Women in chemistry: remarkable progress, but are we there yet?
- Automating the production of [Fe18FF2(BnMe2-tacn)] and investigating radiostabilisers for use with high-activity [18F]F−
- Bridging two worlds: (DABCO-H)CuKI3 a hybrid copper iodide phosphor with a perovskite structure
- Empowering women in science through role models, mentors, and support groups: a personal perspective
- Peptides for therapeutic applications – challenges and chances
- Mechanisms of chemical vapor generation by aqueous boranes for trace element analysis: a rather long and unfinished story
- IUPAC Technical Report
- A brief guide to measurement uncertainty (IUPAC Technical Report)
- IUPAC Recommendations
- Definition of the pnictogen bond (IUPAC Recommendations 2023)
