Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2011 Division of Science Resources Statistics Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences National Science Foundation Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2011 About this Report Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering provides statistical information about the participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science and engineering education and employment. Its primary purpose is to serve as an information source. It offers no endorsement of or recommendations about policies or programs. National Science Foundation reporting on this topic is mandated by the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (Public Law 96-516). This digest, new for 2011, highlights key statistics drawn from the wide variety of data sources used to provide this information. Data and figures in this digest are organized into six topical areas— enrollment, field of degree, employment status, occupation, academic employment, and persons with disabilities. These are presented dynamically online at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/, where the presentation provides access to a rich set of associated resources, described at the end of this digest. Readers are invited to explore the website for more detailed information on these topics. Surveys conducted by the Science Resources Statistics division of the National Science Foundation provided a large portion of the data used in this report. During the report’s production, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 was signed into law. Section 505 of the bill renames the Division of Science Resources Statistics as the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). The new name signals the central role of NCSES in the collection, interpretation, analysis, and dissemination of objective data on the science and engineering enterprise. Contents Introduction .................................................................................2 Enrollment....................................................................................3 Field of Degree............................................................................4 Women .............................................................................4 Minorities .........................................................................5 Minority Women ............................................................6 Employment Status ...................................................................7 Occupation ..................................................................................8 Academic Employment ...........................................................9 Persons with Disabilities ......................................................10 Data Sources .............................................................................12 Glossary ......................................................................................13 Online Resources .....................................................................14 Introduction Women, persons with disabilities, and three racial/ethnic groups—blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians—are considered underrepresented in science and engineering because they constitute smaller percentages of science and engineering degree recipients and of employed scientists and engineers than they do of the population. Asians are not considered under- represented because they are a larger percentage of science and engineering degree recipients and of employed scientists and engineers than they are of the population. Subgroups of Hispanics and Asians may vary in terms of under- or overrepresentation in science and engineering. Women were slightly more than half of U.S. residents in 2008. Blacks Resident population of the United States, by sex and race/ethnicity: 2008 and Hispanics were 12% and 15%, Asians were 4%, and other racial/ ethnic groups combined (American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Asian men 2.1% White women Asian women 2.2% Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islanders, and multiple race) constituted 2% 33.4% Black men 5.8% of the U.S. population in 2008. According to the latest Census Bureau projections, minorities will be about half of the resident United States Black women 6.4% population by 2050. The largest growth is projected in the numbers of Hispanics and Asians. Despite increasing numbers, blacks are project- Hispanic men 8.0% ed to remain 12% of the population from 2010 to 2050. The number of whites is projected to remain about the same in 2050 as in 2010 and their percentage of the population is projected to decrease. Hispanic women 7.5% Other men 1.2% Hispanic women were the largest group of minority women in the United Other women 1.2% White States in 2008. Hispanic women constituted 8%, black women 6%, and men 32.2% Asian women 2% of the U.S. population. Women of all other minority NOTE: Hispanic may be any race. Other includes American Indian/Alaska Native, racial/ethnic groups combined (American Indian or Alaska Native, Na- Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and multiple race. SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: tive Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and multiple race) were 1% of the www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. U.S. population. White women made up one-third of the U.S. population. Estimates of the proportion of the population with disabilities vary depending on the definition of the term “disability.” These disabilities may or may not require accommodation or limit an individual’s ability to participate in educational experiences or be productive in an occupation. According to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 12% of the U.S. population has some disability. Representation of these groups in science and engineering education and employment differs from their representation in the U.S. population. Differences in participation of men and women, various racial/ethnic groups, and persons with and without disabilities are rooted in differences in current and historic participation in science and engineering higher education, as well as differences in educational attainment and in precollege course taking and achievement. 2 Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2011 Women are less likely than men to enroll full time as Underrepresented minorities enroll in disproportionately Enrollment A B undergraduates. Underrepresented minorities (blacks, higher numbers in public 2-year colleges and, along with Hispanics, and American Indians) are less likely than women, in for-profit academic institutions. whites and Asians to enroll full time. Full-time enrollment among undergraduates: 2008 Undergraduate enrollment, by type of school: 2008 Percent Percent 100 50 Public 4-year Public 2-year Private For profit Recent trends in 90 45 80 40 undergraduate 70 35 enrollment reflect 60 30 growth in and the 50 25 40 20 changing composition 30 15 of the U.S. college- 20 10 age population. 10 5 0 0 Most notably, White women White men Asian women Asian men URM women URM men White women White men Asian women Asian men URM women URM men underrepresented URM = underrepresented minority. URM = underrepresented minority. SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: minorities are an www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. increasing fraction and whites are a decreasing fraction Minority academic institutions enroll a substantial fraction HBCUs are important baccalaureate-origin institutions C D of undergraduate of minority undergraduates, although the percentage of of future black science and engineering doctorate blacks earning science and engineering bachelor’s degrees recipients. students. Among all from HBCUs and the percentage of Hispanics earning S&E bachelor’s racial/ethnic groups, from high Hispanic enrollment institutions has declined over time. Tribal colleges, which mainly offer 2-year degrees, award only a small more women than fraction of S&E bachelor’s degrees to American Indians. men enroll in college. Minorities earning science and engineering bachelor’s at minority- Black doctorate recipients with HBCU baccalaureate origins, by field: serving institutions, by institution type: 2000–08 2004–08, aggregate Percent Science and engineering 50 Hispanic, HHE Agricultural sciences 45 Black, HBCU Physical sciences 40 American Indian, tribal college Biological sciences 35 30 Engineering 25 Mathematics 20 Earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences 15 Computer sciences 10 Psychology 5 Social sciences 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Percent HBCU = historically black college or university; HHE = high Hispanic enrollment. HBCU = historically black college or university. SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/ 3 Field of In most fields women’s participation has risen over the two In the 20 years since 1989 women’s participation in the A B decades that ended in 2008. The general increase in the social sciences and in biosciences has increased at all Degree share of degrees women earn reflects rising numbers of degree levels. In the last 5 years, this growing trend has degrees for women and level or declining numbers earned by men. stabilized at the master’s and bachelor’s levels. Women’s participation is highest in psychology and medical sciences. High participation fields for women: Psychology and medical Medium participation fields for women: Biosciences and social Women sciences, 1989–2008 sciences, 1989–2008 Percent Percent Overall, more 100 100 90 90 Biosciences BA Social sciences BA women than men 80 80 Biosciences MA Biosciences PhD graduate from college 70 70 Social sciences MA Social sciences PhD 60 60 with a bachelor’s 50 50 Medical sciences BA Psychology BA 40 degree; however, 40 Medical sciences MA Medical sciences PhD 30 men earn a higher 30 Psychology MA Psychology PhD 20 20 10 proportion of degrees 10 0 in many science 0 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 and engineering NOTE: Data not available for 1999. NOTES: Data not available for 1999. Social sciences excludes psychology. SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: fields of study. www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. Women’s level of participation among Compared with men, women earn degrees at medium to Women’s participation is lowest in engineering and C D these fields varies, low levels in physical sciences and mathematics. Growth computer sciences. In the 20 years since 1989, however, but within fields it in women’s share of mathematics degrees at the master’s the proportion of women in engineering has increased, and bachelor’s levels has not kept pace with growth at the level of mostly at the master’s and doctoral levels. Women’s participation is consistent over the doctorate. in computer sciences has increased at a rapid rate at the doctoral every level of degree. level (although numbers remain small) but has declined at the Medium-low participation fields for women: Physical sciences and bachelor’s level. mathematics, 1989–2008 Percent Low participation fields for women: Computer sciences and 100 engineering, 1989–2008 90 Mathematics BA Physical sciences MA Percent 80 Mathematics MA Mathematics PhD 100 Physical sciences BA Physical sciences PhD Computer sciences MA Engineering PhD 70 90 Engineering MA Engineering BA 60 80 Computer sciences PhD Computer sciences BA 50 70 40 60 30 50 20 40 10 30 0 20 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 10 NOTE: Data not available for 1999. 0 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. NOTE: Data not available for 1999. SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. 4 Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2011 Underrepresented minorities’ shares of science and The greatest rise in science and engineering bachelor’s Field of A B engineering bachelor’s and master’s degrees have been degrees earned by underrepresented minorities has been in rising over the two decades since 1989, with shares of the social, computer, and medical sciences fields of study. Degree doctorates in these fields flattening after 2000. Science and engineering degrees earned by underrepresented Science and engineering bachelor’s degrees earned by minorities: 1989–2008 underrepresented minorities, by field: 1989–2008 Percent Percent Minorities 25 25 Bachelor’s Underrepresented 20 Master’s 20 minorities—blacks, Doctorate 15 Hispanics, and 15 American Indians— 10 10 Social sciences Biological sciences are less likely than 5 Computer sciences Engineering 5 whites to attend Medical sciences Physical sciences 0 Mathematics college or to graduate, 0 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 but for those who do NOTE: Data not available for 1999. NOTE: Data not available for 1999. SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: graduate, the degree SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. patterns are similar to those of whites. Asian U.S. citizens and permanent residents’ shares of all Although Asians’ share of science and engineering degrees C D science and engineering degrees are roughly similar for has been steady over the past decade, major share bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Their shares shifts by field have occurred in bachelor’s degrees: most of science and engineering degrees at all levels rose slightly in the pronounced are a drop in computer sciences and rises in physical 1990s but have been steady over the past decade. and biological sciences. Science and engineering degrees earned by Asians: 1989–2008 Science and engineering bachelor’s degrees earned by Asians, Percent by field: 1989–2008 25 Percent Bachelor’s 25 Biological sciences Computer sciences 20 Master’s Engineering Social sciences Doctorate 20 Mathematics Medical sciences 15 Physical sciences 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 NOTE: Data not available for 1999. NOTE: Data not available for 1999. SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/ 5 Field of The share of bachelor’s degrees earned by Underrepresented minority women, like women in general, A B underrepresented minority women is far larger earn higher proportions of bachelor’s degrees in medical Degree than their shares of master’s or doctoral degrees, sciences and social sciences and lower proportions of regardless of field of study. bachelor’s degrees in computer sciences and engineering. Science and engineering degrees earned by underrepresented Science and engineering bachelor’s degrees earned by minority women: 1989–2008 underrepresented minority women, by field: 1989–2008 Minority Percent Percent Women 20 20 Medical sciences Mathematics Bachelor’s Social sciences Computer sciences In 2008 15 Master’s 15 Biological sciences Engineering Doctorate Physical sciences underrepresented 10 10 minority women earned more than half 5 5 but white and Asian women earned less 0 0 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 than half of science NOTE: Data not available for 1999. NOTE: Data not available for 1999. and engineering SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. degrees awarded to their respective racial/ ethnic groups. Like women generally, Asian women earn a higher Asian women, like Asians in general, earn higher and C D proportion of bachelor’s degrees than they do of master’s growing percentages of bachelor’s degrees in biological degrees or doctorates. Asian women’s shares of science sciences and, like women in general, earn lower and engineering degrees at all degree levels have grown only percentages of bachelor’s degrees in engineering. slightly in the last decade. Science and engineering degrees earned by Asian women: Science and engineering bachelor’s degrees earned by Asian women, 1989–2008 by field: 1989–2008 Percent Percent 20 20 Biological sciences Mathematics Bachelor’s Social sciences Engineering 15 Master’s 15 Medical sciences Computer sciences Doctorate Physical sciences 10 10 5 5 0 0 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 1989 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 NOTE: Data not available for 1999. NOTE: Data not available for 1999. SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: SOURCE: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/. 6 Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2011