Experiences and Barriers Faced by Women on Non-Linear Paths in Science

Laurier WinS: WinSights
2 min readApr 21, 2023

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Women over 25 in science careers still face many barriers in professional training and education.

This reflection paper explores the challenges that mature (i.e., 25+ years of age) women face in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields in Canada. The authors argue that the traditional linear model of professional training (i.e., a straightforward path from education to employment), does not account for the unique experiences and challenges faced by all women in STEM.

Using an analysis of enrollment and graduation data from Statistics Canada, the authors show that while the number of mature students is increasing in post-secondary programs, barriers exist for women in STEM, such as bias because of gender and/or age. For instance, some professors may negatively perceive mature women who they presume will not dedicate time to their studies due to family commitments.

Another challenge for women in STEM is a lack of structural accommodations to support participating in school and having a family. Women remain more likely than men to be caregivers, resulting in attrition from the workforce or taking lower-paying, less time-consuming jobs. Additionally, many universities have stringent admissions requirements or restrict mature students from undergraduate programs such as engineering, medical sciences, or health sciences.

The authors include recommendations for retaining mature women in science, including flexible work-arrangements, childcare availability, online education, mentoring, financial support, and addressing discrimination and bias in the workplace.

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Study Details

Sample size(s): N/A

Participants: N/A

Design: Archival data analysis

Reference:

Vasseur, L., & VanVolkenburg, H. (2018). The non-linear paths of women in STEM: The barriers in the current system of professional training. Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s IdeaLab.

Summarized by WinSights team members: Khushi Sheth, Asal Eshghabadi, Razan Mohamed, Eden Hennessey, & Shohini Ghose

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Laurier WinS: WinSights
Laurier WinS: WinSights

Written by Laurier WinS: WinSights

Research-backed resources for inclusive science by the Laurier Centre for Women in Science (WinS).

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