The Gender Gap in Mathematics:
Overview, Problems and AWM’s Approach
Kathryn Leonard
President of AWM
adapted from slides by Karoline Pershell

Mission of AWM
The purpose of the Association for Women in Mathematics is tocreate a community in which women and girls can thrive in theirmathematical endeavors, and to promote equitable opportunity andtreatment of women and others of marginalized genders andgender identities across the mathematical sciences.

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OverviewEfforts to close the gender gap in mathematics– Targeted recruiting– Women-only programs– Other mechanisms

Underlying structures undermine progress– Gender imbalance– Harassment– Institutionalized practices– Unintentional outcomes3

Harassment problem
Many women are pushed out of the profession
Those who remain are impeded by– Harassment– Hostile work environment– Not being taken seriously
While men are certainly not immune to harassment and bullying,
women are overwhelmingly targets.
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“Individual” Solution
Empowering women in mathematics– Building cohorts– Mentorship from those “who have been through it”– Response tactics– Training on “how to navigate the system”

This alone is not sufficient!
– Programming should also focus on changing institutionalized behaviors
5Institutional opportunities
Institutional change:• Identify and change behaviors and understandings• Identify and change policies that contribute to negative climates• Recognize that mathematical progress cannot be decoupled from thecultural context that produces it
When members of the community are ostracized, harassed, ormade to feel unwelcome, then the success of mathematics as awhole is put into jeopardy.
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Training
Aligning Action and the Crossroads (AAC) workshop:• Active bystander training• Role-playing with improv actors• Data sharing• Intersectionality
Topical workshops at math meetings• AWM 101
• How to apply for an NSF grant• Starting a research collaboration
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Student Chapters• Free AWM membership• Annual awards in sustainability, professional development,scientific excellence• Annual meeting to share best practices

8Research Networks• Research collaboration workshop• Follow-on event at a conference• AWM-Springer Proceedings volume• Website with women in the field listed• Steering committee
Women in Numbers, BIRS

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La Matematica• Shorter time to review• Constructive reviews• Diverse editorial board• Broad range of mathematical topics

10Research Symposium2022 Research Symposium, Univ. of Minnesota
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Awards and Fellows
Research prizes:• Undergraduate• Dissertation• Topology/algebra/analysis• Sabbatical fellowship
Other prizes:• Mentorship• Social justice• Education• ServiceSuzanne Weekes, 2022 Falconer Lecturer

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A Student Chapter Prizes
B Undergrad Research Prize
C Essay Contest
D Poster Sessions
E Dissertation Prize
F Analysis Research Prize
G Number Theory Research Prize
H Topology Research prize
I Mentoring Travel Grant
J Travel GrantK Paid Semester of Research
L Mentoring Award
M Math Education Award
N MAA Invited Plenary
O SIAM Invited Plenary
P JMM Invited Plenary
Q AWM Fellows
R AWM Service Award

How AWM Programming Impacts theMathematics Landscape
LAAwards

CareerStagesDGraduates

Student Chapters
Programs

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H

O
K

JP
Q

E

Undergrad

M

I

B
CF

R

Postdocs

Early Career

Mid-Career

SeniorDept LeadershipResearch Networks (Conferences & Workshops)
AWM Newsletter & Springer SeriesInst’l Leadership

AWM Climate Workshops (JMM 2020)
Institutional Membership

AWM Research Symposium
AWM Committees
AWM Grant Co-PIs“In Cooperation” Status
Speaker Database (Being Rebuilt)

Capitol Hill Days
USA SEF and National Math Festival

Job BoardCall to Action
Advocate for a welcoming environment and then lead on what thatshould look like• Commit to nominating people for awards• Commit to bringing in a diverse lineup of speakers• Make department service transparent and fair
• Open discussions around nixing student evaluations• Have your friends donate money to orgs supporting women• Highlight women doing excellent work
• Talk about the challenges facing women and others
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