Women in Physics
These reports and highlights contain data on the education and employment of women in physics in the U.S. and data on working women
physicists across the world.
How to cite and extract our data
Global Survey of Physicists (February 2012)
The first report based on the 15,000 responses from the Global Survey of Physicists has been published in Physics Today. The low representation of women
in physics is a well-known problem, but differences in men's and women's access to career-advancing resources and opportunities comprise another challenge
for the physics community. For the first time, a multinational study was conducted with 15,000 respondents from 130 countries, showing that problems for
women in physics transcend national borders. Across all countries, women have fewer resources and opportunities and are more affected by cultural
expectations concerning child care.
Full report 
focus on Female Students in High School Physics (July 2011)
The number of girls taking physics in US high schools increased 161% between 1987 and 2009; the number of boys was up 88% over this same period.
In this report, we examine female students taking high school physics. We also look at female representation by type of physics course.
Women in Physics & Astronomy Faculty Positions
These highlights show data on women faculty members that were collected in our survey of all degree-granting physics and astronomy departments
in the US in 2006. The percentages of physics and astronomy faculty members who are women have increased. The percentage of newly hired
assistant physics professors who are women is higher than the percentage of physics PhDs earned by women in the recent past. This may indicate
that women are hired at greater than their availability rate. In addition, physics departments are more likely than ever to have at least
one woman on their faculties.
Highlights (HTML)
Women Physicists Speak Again
More than 1350 women physicists from more than 70 countries answered a survey conducted in connection with the Second IUPAP International
Conference of Women in Physics. The report covers women physicists’ experiences in education and careers. Comparisons are made
between women from developed and developing countries.
Highlights (HTML) |
Highlights |
Full report
FAQ's about Women in Physics and Astronomy, 2005
The Women in Physics and Astronomy report has generated a lot of questions. This short document provides answers to the most frequently
asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (HTML)
Women in Physics and Astronomy, 2005
Data on current and historic trends in the representation of women in physics and astronomy, including comparative data on women in related
fields. Discusses the academic "pipeline" and the point at which women are leaving physics. Data on US minority women and on women in
physics in other countries are also presented. Supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Highlights (HTML)|
Highlights |
Full report
Women Physicists Speak: The 2001 International Study of Women in Physics
This report contains findings from an international survey of over 1,000 women physicists from 55 countries. The study was conducted
as part of a larger effort carried out by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and was supported by
grants from NSF and DOE to the American Physical Society.
Highlights (HTML) |
Highlights |
Full report
Additional interest
Statistics on Women in Science in Germany
US delegation to 2nd IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics
Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering, NSF
Contributions of 20th Century Women to Physics
Women in Physics, American Physical Society
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