Scientific research remains a predominantly male domain
© 2019 EPFL
Gender parity in research has not yet been achieved in Europe, even though the participation of women in scientific activities is steadily increasing. In academic careers, differences can be observed from the doctoral stage onwards. In 2016, 44% of new doctoral graduates in Switzerland were women (EU: 48%). But then the percentage of women among academic staff decreases at each hierarchical level, falling to 41% for lower intermediate positions, and 23% for the most senior academic careers (46% and 24% respectively in the EU).
A longer-term trend shows that the gaps between men and women are tending to decrease, albeit at a relatively slow pace. Since 2009, in Switzerland, the percentage of women obtaining a doctorate and reaching grade A in higher education research has increased by only two percentage points (42% and 21% respectively in 2009 compared to 44% and 23% in 2016).
In Switzerland, women are also still underrepresented in strategic posts. In 2017, 27% of research council members were women, and 30% of higher education institutions were headed by women.
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