Turning Chutes into Ladders for Women Faculty: A Review and Roadmap for Equity in Academia

Preventing a Secondary Epidemic of Lost Early Career Scientists. Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Women with Children

“…We suggest the following: • Develop “women-only” funding opportunities. Develop women-only pilot and career development award opportunities given the unique vulnerabilities and underrepresentation of women and women of color in science ( 2 ). • Extend currently funded grant periods.…”

“…Teaching, service, research, and clinical time can all play a significant role in tenure and/or promotion; however, research, teaching, and clinical time lead to greater prestige and are considered the pillars for academic promotion, whereas service is recognized but not considered critical ( 2 , 15 ). Before COVID-19, national survey data found that women spend 31 more hours per year conducting service-related work than men ( 16 ), with disproportionate loads even more pronounced among faculty of color ( 17 ).…”

“…Before this pandemic, early career women investigators faced significant barriers to academic success ( 2 ). Given that prime reproductive years generally overlap with the early stage of scientific careers, four of five physician-scientists have children during this time ( 3 ).…”

“…Furthermore, studies have shown that even among high-achieving early career physicians and researchers, women take on significantly greater domestic and childcare responsibilities and are less likely to have a stay-at-home partner compared with men ( 3 ). Together, these issues contribute to well-documented sex disparities in academia ( 2 ).…”

“…A powerful piece published by 35 women scientists highlights the difficulty of these times, detailing that women in STEM are fighting not only COVID-19 but also the patriarchy, resulting in desires to leave academia altogether ( 10 ). Lack of support and resources for women scientists will lead to a secondary epidemic of lost early career physicians and scientists, particularly among those already vulnerable to leaks in the academic pipeline (e.g., early career women and women of color) ( 2 ). This will undo a great deal of the progress made regarding representation in STEM and result in a less diverse workforce ( 10 ).…”