Women and Science – a question of disciplinary cultures? – Retrospective analyses of the qualification and result of the latest research

Abstract

Based on available data, this paper analyzes, for the first time, the statistical probability for men and women in Germany holding a professorship after 18 years of scientific qualification process. After a brief introduction, the paper explains the method of retrospective data analysis following first year students in the 1980s on to new professorships in 2003. Specific examples are given to show the remarkable differences of female participation in the qualification process between the disciplines. These results are supplemented by knowledge drawn form the research body concerning the marginalization of women in science and the different disciplinary cultures. The main message is to critically reflect some widespread and partially misleading assumptions of the causes of the female marginalization in science and to give some new perspectives of discussion and research desiderata.