The Role of Women in the Development of Science, Engineering and Technology Sectors

The gender inequality in science, engineering, and technology fields has been a contentious topic among social scientists, lawyers, and feminists for decades. Despite their limited entry to the areas of science and technology, women have had significant roles to play in these fields. The majority of females who have had a significant impact on science and technology have been advocating for equal opportunities and for a smoother entry into these areas. Contrariwise, technological change has had both negative and positive influences on the roles of women in the development of science and technology. Regardless of that, bearing in mind that more women are earning degrees in science and technology than men are, the future advancement of the two fields depends on the contributions of females and their longevity in the scientific careers.

Gender Differences in Science and Technology Fields

For decades, numerous studies have been conducted in an attempt to explain the imbalance between men and women in science, engineering, and technology fields. Social scientists have studied the variances while lawyers have endeavored to fix the imbalance. Post-feminist society, on the other hand, seems to have come to terms with this fact. Nonetheless, men still outnumber women in science, engineering, and technology fields.

In recent years, most blatant discrimination against women in engineering and technology fields has been diminished through academic, legal, and government measures. However, an atmosphere that is at least less than entirely friendly to women is yet to be realized, and its consistency is largely taken for granted. The percentage of females attaining doctorate degrees in engineering and technology fields has increased marginally in recent years. According to the National Science Foundation report, in 2003 women comprised just below one-third of doctorate degrees in science, while the engineering sector had just below one-tenth of doctorates awarded to females (Rossiter). Yet, few women hold the top-level faculty spots. The National Science Foundation reveals that in 1972 women made up approximately 3 percent of full-time professors in engineering and technology fields; this figure has risen to 10 percent in less than three decades (Rossiter).

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Roles Played by Women in the Development of Science and Technology Fields

The science and technology sectors could not have attained their achievements with the exclusion of the contributions made by women. While their impact has been undeniably significant, it is necessary to highlight concrete examples of the contributions of females in these sectors. Jewel Plummer Cobb and Grace Murray Hopper are case examples worth to be mentioned.

Jewel Plummer Cobb

As a groundbreaking cancer researcher, cell biologist, and a brilliant professor, Jewel Plummer Cobb has had an unquestionable impact on the scientific community. Her research on skin cells that create melanin has reached its culmination when she has shown how the cells develop into cancerous cells (Ceci & Williams). Additionally, she has been in the forefront of campaigns for equal access to professional opportunities and education for women and minorities. Even with personal challenges such as increased sexism and racism Jewel Plummer Cobb has always been committed to utilizing her success for inspiring women to undertake the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering (Ceci &Williams).

In the course of her professional life, Jewel Plummer Cobb worked determinedly to improve opportunities for women to venture into traditionally male-dominated occupations. Of course, there were monetary challenges, but she would turn to private sources for funds. Regardless of the obstacles she faced, she never deviated from her convictions that equal education was vital to a fruitful and independent life (Ceci & Williams). The woman believed that the hindrances that females face in the academic system were encouraged by cumulative disadvantage factors that prevented other women from careers in science, engineering, and technology fields. Jewel Plummer Cobb identified several aspects as deterrents to women in their advancing in male-dominated careers. They were the variance in socialization of the two sexes, weakened self-confidence, and hopes regarding the influence of children on women’s educational careers (Ceci & Williams).

Grace Murray Hopper

Grace Murray Hopper is known for achieving great heights as a woman and an innovator in the technology sector. Having at
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