The number of women faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has steadily risen over the past few decades, due in part to efforts by the university to reduce biases in hiring, according to a university news release.
Women accounted for only 18 percent of the faculty at UW-Madison in 1990, but constituted 31 percent of professors and instructors last year.
The increase in the last ten years was particularly prevalent in the biological and physical sciences.
Rather than seeking to create a more even ratio of male and female faculty, Associate Dean for Biological Sciences in UW-Madison's Graduate School Donna Paulnock said in the statement the university’s focus is to have more women apply for positions. The university could then hire the best applicant.
UW-Madison “pioneered the discussion of unconscious biases" which can affect the hiring process, said Executive Director of the Women in Science and Engineering Leadership Institute Jennifer Sheridan in the statement.
