Women in STEM: Successes, Challenges and the Leaky Pipeline

Women in STEM: Successes, Challenges and the Leaky Pipeline

On July 3, 2025, the outstanding achievements of women in the MINT subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology) were recognized at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNF) at the University of Kiel. The program, which was launched by the equal opportunities officer Professor Birgit Classen, is intended to increase the motivation of female students to pursue an academic career in these areas. What is particularly noteworthy is that 50 percent of the dissertations at this faculty are written by women.

In order to increase the visibility of women in research and promote talent, the MNF has awarded prizes and funding in three categories. A total of 16 young researchers received awards, including Giuliana Andrea Díaz-Mendoza, Helen Gorges, Annika Preuss and Anna-Marlene Vogt. The proportion of W2/C3 and W3/C4 female professors in the faculty rose from 20 percent nine years ago to 30 percent now. However, Professor Jörg Ebbing, Dean of Studies at the MNF, still sees a need for improvement, especially in specific subjects such as geophysics, where no female professors have been appointed to date.

Support measures and prices

A special highlight of the program is the award of outstanding publications by female doctoral students as first authors, which has been rewarded with 500 euros each since 2023. In addition, the faculty sets up programs to support employed women in the post-doc phase. Up to 20,000 euros per year can be made available for research projects. This year the post-doctoral awards went to Dr. Angelika Jüptner and Dr. Liseth Pérez, while the EmpowerMINT prizes went to master's graduates Tatjana Weiler, Melina Seidel and Helen Mathée.

The award ceremony was preceded by a variety of initiatives aimed at promoting positive developments in equality. The faculty encouraged the award winners with one piece of advice: “Don’t let yourself be sold short!” This message is consistent with recent surveys on equality in STEM, supported by a study by American researchers. This examined hundreds of publications between 2000 and 2020 and found that women in STEM fields, especially in tenure-track positions, receive comparable research funding and publish a similar amount as their male colleagues.

Contrasting results to equality

Otto Beisheim from the Research and teaching However, highlights that differences remain in the areas of evaluation and salary. Despite a narrower gender pay gap of four cents on the dollar, there remains a systemic challenge, largely attributable to postdoctoral periods and research careers. Finally, the majority of women leave academia after their doctorates, which is known as the leaky pipeline. At this point, the responsibility of universities and research institutions to support the career development of women after their doctorate becomes clear.

To meet this challenge, the... Federal Ministry of Research on numerous initiatives. This includes the female professor program, which will start its fourth phase in 2023 and will have a funding volume of 320 million euros until 2030. A central goal is to increase the proportion of women at various career levels in universities and research institutions. Currently, the proportion of female professors is only 29 percent.

In summary, it can be said that current developments in the MINT subjects show both positive and challenging aspects. It remains to be hoped that the programs and initiatives described will further promote equality.