04/18/23 1

Ten little, nine little, eight little women

…in academic research

Ten little, nine little, eight little women

…in academic research

When burnout beats perseverance

When burnout beats perseverance

04/18/23 2

The numbers tell the storyThe numbers tell the story

◊ across the US there are less women in high

academic ranks than men

◊ at Vanderbilt, less than 15% of all full professors are

female

◊ not a pipeline problem

◊ across the US there are less women in high

academic ranks than men

◊ at Vanderbilt, less than 15% of all full professors are

female

◊ not a pipeline problem

04/18/23 3

The numbers tell the storyThe numbers tell the story

◊ 53% of instructors are women

◊ 41% Assistant professors

◊ 26% Associate professors

◊ 14% full professors

◊ 53% of instructors are women

◊ 41% Assistant professors

◊ 26% Associate professors

◊ 14% full professors

Vanderbilt numbersVanderbilt numbers

04/18/23 4

Factors possibly responsiblefor this imbalanceFactors possibly responsiblefor this imbalance◊ Women are not as capable as men

◊ Women prefer to have families and stay at home

◊ Innate brain differences between the sexes

◊ Women are either less smart or less willing

◊ Women are not as capable as men

◊ Women prefer to have families and stay at home

◊ Innate brain differences between the sexes

◊ Women are either less smart or less willing

04/18/23 5

‘Men are inherently risk taking achievers who can

willingly endure discomfort in pursuit of success, while

women are more likely to choose administrative support

jobs that offer low pay in air conditioned offices’ (Steven

Pinker, ‘The blank slate’)

‘Men are inherently risk taking achievers who can

willingly endure discomfort in pursuit of success, while

women are more likely to choose administrative support

jobs that offer low pay in air conditioned offices’ (Steven

Pinker, ‘The blank slate’)

Factors possibly responsiblefor this imbalanceFactors possibly responsiblefor this imbalance

04/18/23 6

Factors possibly responsibleFactors possibly responsible

◊ Women are not as capable as men◊ Innate brain differences between the sexes◊ Women are either less smart or less willing◊ Discouragement: ◊ Girls are told that they are less capable◊ Women face discrimination and/or harassment◊ Burnout due to increasing family responsibilities and

discouragement at work

◊ Women are not as capable as men◊ Innate brain differences between the sexes◊ Women are either less smart or less willing◊ Discouragement: ◊ Girls are told that they are less capable◊ Women face discrimination and/or harassment◊ Burnout due to increasing family responsibilities and

discouragement at work

04/18/23 7

Results from the US Physician Work Life Study: Reports by female physicians

Results from the US Physician Work Life Study: Reports by female physicians

◊more time pressure in seeing patients◊less work control◊lower income

◊more time pressure in seeing patients◊less work control◊lower income

➔ Women were 1.6 times more likely to report burnout than men, with lack of work control being a strong predictor of burnout.

➔ Women were 1.6 times more likely to report burnout than men, with lack of work control being a strong predictor of burnout.

04/18/23 8

In a number of studies less control over work was strongly correlated with burnoutIn a number of studies less control over work was strongly correlated with burnout

What about less control over your life?

Women are more likely to have…◊ obligations to school, elderly parents◊ obligations to volunteer (school, church, community)◊ attending school performances, sports events◊ to leave work when children, elderly parents are sick

What about less control over your life?

Women are more likely to have…◊ obligations to school, elderly parents◊ obligations to volunteer (school, church, community)◊ attending school performances, sports events◊ to leave work when children, elderly parents are sick

➔ the impact of family responsibilities may be understated in many studies by the failure to examine faculty who had left academia

➔ the impact of family responsibilities may be understated in many studies by the failure to examine faculty who had left academia

04/18/23 9

Survey of close to 2000 faculty from 24 randomly selected medical schools found that women in academia who have children have

•fewer publications•slower career progress•less career satisfaction compared to men with

children

Survey of close to 2000 faculty from 24 randomly selected medical schools found that women in academia who have children have

•fewer publications•slower career progress•less career satisfaction compared to men with

children

➔ and yet, we can have family and prevail in a career➔ and yet, we can have family and prevail in a career

Children do have an effect on women’s careersChildren do have an effect on women’s careers

04/18/23 10

Eight little, nine little, ten little women

…in academic research

Eight little, nine little, ten little women

…in academic research

The power of perseveranceThe power of perseverance

04/18/23 11

Perseverance: the art of daily self-abusePerseverance: the art of daily self-abuse

04/18/23 12

‘With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable’ Sir Thomas Foxwell Buxton; advocate for social reforms and abolition of slavery in the British Colonies

‘With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable’ Sir Thomas Foxwell Buxton; advocate for social reforms and abolition of slavery in the British Colonies

04/18/23 13

Unfortunately, you won’t get any credit for taking care of the next generation of earthlings - it does not show up in the bottom line

Unfortunately, you won’t get any credit for taking care of the next generation of earthlings - it does not show up in the bottom line

◊ Step 1: Do your homework1. Average number of publications of academics

at the level you strive to achieve

2. Average number of grants of academics at the level you strive to achieve

3. How do you compare?

◊ Step 1: Do your homework1. Average number of publications of academics

at the level you strive to achieve

2. Average number of grants of academics at the level you strive to achieve

3. How do you compare?

04/18/23 14

Your CV is your calling cardYour CV is your calling card

◊ Step 2: Set your goals for the next level1. grants, papers, editorships

2. useful committee work versus useless committee work (learn to say ‘no’)

3. get outside offers

◊ Step 2: Set your goals for the next level1. grants, papers, editorships

2. useful committee work versus useless committee work (learn to say ‘no’)

3. get outside offers

04/18/23 15

Out of sight - out of mindOut of sight - out of mind

◊ Step 3: Be visible inside your institution and at international meetings - word will spread

◊ Step 3: Be visible inside your institution and at international meetings - word will spread

➔ … something is easily forgotten or dismissed as unimportant if it is not in our direct view➔ … something is easily forgotten or dismissed as unimportant if it is not in our direct view

04/18/23 16

Be confident and don’t undersell yourselfBe confident and don’t undersell yourself

◊ Step 4: Talk to your Chair/Dean1. Make your case - but be intuitive

2. Have your data ready

3. Have a career plan

4. Be proud - having a family is an accomplishment not a failure

◊ Step 4: Talk to your Chair/Dean1. Make your case - but be intuitive

2. Have your data ready

3. Have a career plan

4. Be proud - having a family is an accomplishment not a failure