The Gender Gap In Math Needs To Be Recognized And Closed

A recent study by researchers at Harvard and the University of Chicago brings to attention a gender gap in math. Previously, the common belief was that disparities between genders in math did not actually exist and the reason that more prominent mathematicians were male is a result of sexist admission processes.

This study is incredibly revealing to the state of our seemingly equal opportunity education. As a math major here, the gender gap and its implications are a reality to me. Though there are great affirmative action math programs sponsored by the University, like Project Algebra and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), the UM Math department chooses to ignore structural inequalities or address disparities head on. 

Hopefully this study will force UM and all higher level educational instutions to shift focus to the importance gender equality in math as a social justice. It should be the goal of every department to recognize their ability to make an impact in structural barriers that are easily written off as the inevitable status quo.

I acknowledge that I may be biased in my perspective of the gravity of this problem. Do you think gender gaps will always exist in certain academic fields and professions? Do you think this is something that needs to be changed? There’s soon to be an open seat on the Supreme Court, should any amount of deliberation be with respect to closing that gender gap?

–Lexie Tourek