Berlin 2005 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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AKC: Chancengleichheit

AKC 2: Chancengleichheit in der Physik weltweit

AKC 2.2: Hauptvortrag

Freitag, 4. März 2005, 17:30–18:30, TU A052

The Future of Physics relies in Gender Equity — •Marcia Barbosa — Instituto de Fisica - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Women are greatly underrepresented in physics. Among all sciences, physics is the field where the increase in the number of women has been particularly slow. This is a world wide problem that goes beyond cultural barriers. Because of this imbalance, many bright young people do not receive the opportunity to learn about physics and to prepare themselves for a physics career, and others are discouraged from doing so. But, why should we care about this problem? Why should women be in physics after all? Women that have a passion for physics should be able to make a living and have a successful career in this field. But, the need of gender balance in science, it is not only a equal opportunity issue. Physics need a greater participation of female researchers in order to survive. Science is changing and it is becoming more interdisciplinary. This evolution is only possible through diversity of thought and of strategies to approach problems. Therefore, excluding women more than limiting the available pool of talented people to half of humanity, we are limiting diversity. Finally, in a society where technology is governing our everyday life and where women are highly involved in the educational process, exposing women to science generates a more scientific literate public.