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Assessing Gender Bias in Particle Physics and Social Science Recommendations for Academic Jobs

Author

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  • Robert H. Bernstein

    (Particle Physics Division, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, P.O. Box 500, Batavia, IL 60510, USA
    Department of Psychology, Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA)

  • Michael W. Macy

    (Department of Sociology, Uris Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA)

  • Wendy M. Williams

    (Department of Psychology, Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA)

  • Christopher J. Cameron

    (Department of Sociology, Uris Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA)

  • Sterling Chance Williams-Ceci

    (Department of Information Science, Gates Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA)

  • Stephen J. Ceci

    (Department of Psychology, Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA)

Abstract

We investigated gender bias in letters of recommendation as a possible cause of the under-representation of women in Experimental Particle Physics (EPP), where about 15% of faculty are female—well below the 60% level in psychology and sociology. We analyzed 2206 letters in EPP and these two social sciences using standard lexical measures as well as two new measures: author status and an open-ended search for gendered language. In contrast to former studies, women were not depicted as more communal, less agentic, or less standout. Lexical measures revealed few gender differences in either discipline. The open-ended analysis revealed disparities favoring women in social science and men in EPP. However, female EPP candidates were characterized as “brilliant” in nearly three times as many letters as were men.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert H. Bernstein & Michael W. Macy & Wendy M. Williams & Christopher J. Cameron & Sterling Chance Williams-Ceci & Stephen J. Ceci, 2022. "Assessing Gender Bias in Particle Physics and Social Science Recommendations for Academic Jobs," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-29, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:11:y:2022:i:2:p:74-:d:749515
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stijn Kelchtermans & Reinhilde Veugelers, 2013. "Top Research Productivity and Its Persistence: Gender as a Double-Edged Sword," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 95(1), pages 273-285, March.
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