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Where Are the Women?
Article

Where Are the Women?

Female scientists allege discrimination and neglect of research on women at NIH’s child health institute

Meredith Wadman
Science, 2020
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Bold
  • Engaging

Recommendation

Former scientists at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development claim its recent director, Dr. Constantine Stratakis, discriminated against women and neglected female reproductive studies. Science reporter Meredith Wadman notes in this provocative article that although some staffers dispute his critics, statistics clearly show a shrinking number of women assigned to important positions, a lack of funding for woman-led research projects, workplace harassment and an inadequate recruitment program for female scientists. Dr. Stratkis’s 2020 departure could signal a new era of female acceptance, but tenure wheels turn slowly, so only time will tell whether that happens.

Take-Aways

  • Critics claim Dr. Constantine Stratakis, former Scientific Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), employed discriminatory practices against women.
  • Dr. Stratakis denies these accusations and retains support from some NICHD staffers.
  • Dr. Stratakis’s leadership philosophy and reputation caused some female scientists to quit, while others say he hurt their careers.

About the Author

Before joining Science, Meredith Wadman reported on medical research for Nature, and has written about biotech and biomedical policy issues for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Time, and Fortune.

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