Murray State University will be taking a closer look at retention rates of female faculty in the Sciences. The National Science Foundation’s ADVANCE program has awarded $250,000 dollars to Murray State University to research national trends indicating women tend to leave the professorate at higher rates than men.
MSU professor of Mathematics Maeve McCarthy says the issues go beyond pressures of child bearing years and tenure.
“There are not good support structures in place for women to succeed and when you are one of few it's harder to succeed than when you are one of many,” says McCarthy.
McCarthy says the funding will support research to determine whether or not Murray’s rural location adversely impacts the retention of women faculty in the Sciences. In 2014, a study by the President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion found women make up 41% of all full-time MSU members. However, women represented only 21% of the University’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology. McCarthy says she and other faculty will examine factors that affect recruitment, retention and advancement of women faculty in STEM fields in western Kentucky.
McCarthy says MSU faculty will implement the study by establishing peer mentoring circles, faculty climate studies and inviting speakers to conduct workshops.
The grant’s principal investigators are Mathematics Professor Dr. Maeve McCarthy, Psychology Professor and Department Chair Dr. Paula Waddill, Geosciences Professor Dr. Robin Zhang, Education Assistant Professor Dr. Echo Wu and Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology Dean Dr. Stephen Cobb.
“Murray State is unique in that it is one of only a handful of regional comprehensives that have received this kind of funding,” says McCarthy.
The research in "Differences and Deficits Affecting Women STEM Faculty: Creating a Framework for Change at a Rural Public University,” will begin on May 1st. Once completed, the team will make recommendations for administrative policy modifications and present in Washington D.C.
