Opening the path to biotech

PPublication Type:

Editorial

Authors:

Bhatia, Sangeeta; Hopkins, Nancy; Hockfield, Susan

Source:

Science, Volume 372, Issue 6542, p.545 - 545 (2021)

URL:

https://www.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/10.1126/science.abj2642

Abstract:

In 1999, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) released a study that documented how women faculty in its School of Science were afforded fewer resources and opportunities than men—a discrepancy it attributed to unconscious biases that had marginalized women faculty “even in the light of obvious good will.” The report inspired policy changes at universities across the country that have made faculty resources more equitable. But a study released last month by MIT members (including the authors of this editorial) of the Boston Biotech Working Group (BBWG) now documents a similar problem at the interface of academia and industry: Fewer women than men faculty at MIT move their research discoveries into companies, and fewer serve as scientific advisers or on boards of directors. This disparity holds back women faculty and denies the full promise of innovation to the universities they work for, the biotech industry, and society at large.

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