Issues of Gender and Personal Life for Women in Academic Biology

This paper uses qualitative methodology to explore the issues of gender and of personal life that arose during discussions with women scientists about the factors to which each attributes her success in completing training and pursuing an academic career. Twenty women were each interviewed once to collect educational and career histories and to discuss suggestions for improving the situation. The gender-related issues include gender discrimination, the perception of "reverse discrimination," efforts toward assisting junior women in science, and the possibility that women practice or will practice science in a different manner than their male colleagues. Also discussed are the day-to-day time conflicts between a career in scientific research and a personal life, and the poor fit between the female reproductive capacity and the tenure clock.