Women and Physics (Second Edition)

This is the second edition of a text that brings together and provides an overview of research on a wide variety of topics relating to gender and physics. The intent is to provide the reader with a broad grounding in the extant literature and give them the resources to decide where and how to dig deeper into whatever most interests them. While many books on women and physics center themselves in biography, or bring together collections of essays, this volume focuses on the widest possible overview of research specifically on women and physics, drawing on sources in education, gender studies, sociology, psychology, and other fields to create a broad-based, accessible, and authoritative introductory text.

Beginning with a look at the current numbers of women in physics in English-speaking countries, it explores the many different issues relating to gender and physics at different education and career stages. From the effects of family and schooling to the barriers faced at work and at home, this volume provides an extensive collection of the research literature in the area of women and physics.

This edition contains extensively updated references as well as several new chapters covering the underlying structures informing the research and more detailed breakdowns of career issues. Also included are guidelines for readers and a history of the topic.