Gender,Race and Career Success in the Academic Profession

Abstract

Processes underlying the continuing under‐representation of women and members of minority ethnic groups in the academic profession were investigated by examining the career histories of professors in law and biology. Careers in law differ markedly from those in biology. In the academic profession the foundations of success are laid in the early stages of careers when it is important to acquire self‐confidence. Informal networks and patronage are a feature of the academic profession. The relationship between positive self‐evaluations of academic ability and the judgements of senior members of the profession is problematic. The significance of racial and gender stereotypes in these processes needs further investigation.