Movement into academic science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields has been slow for women and minorities. Not only are women and minorities underrepresented in STEM careers, there is strong evidence that many academic departments are resistant to addressing the concerns that keep them from entering careers in these fields. In light of recent controversies surrounding these issues, this volume, examining reasons for the persistence of barriers that block the full participation and advancement of underrepresented groups in the sciences and addressing how academic departments and universities can remedy the situation, is particularly timely. As a whole, the volume shows positive examples of institutions and departments that have been transformed by the inclusion of women and recommends a set of best practices for continuing growth in positive directions.

"In 2002, a National Science Foundation (and University of Iowa) conference focused on retention of women in academic sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). A main objective was the opportunity to share information and develop possibilities for creating retention initiatives for programs benefiting women and minorities in STEM career paths. This book highlights strong evidence in academia that there is still much resistance to developing women and minority groups for STEM careers. The overall concern is that in the last decade, little progress was made in recruiting and maintaining women in these fields; e.g., of 14,313 US PhDs in 2002, only 353 were African American women, 103 Latinas, and 32 Native American women. This book reviews current barriers to opportunities for participation in the sciences and discusses how academia can address possible solutions, important for academic deans to consider when hiring new faculty. Participants offered understanding of challenges of entering these career fields and at the same time showed how some institutions transformed by including women, and recommended some possible best practices. For women's studies and academic departments interested in diversifying their academic units in STEM areas. An excellent, thought—provoking read. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper—division undergraduates through faculty."—L. L. Morgan, University of Notre Dame, CHOICE, Feb. 2007
"This book reviews current barriers to opportunities for participation in the sciences and discusses how academia can address possible solutions, important for academic deans to consider when hiring new faculty. . . . For women's studies and academic departments interested in diversifying their academic units in STEM areas. An excellent, thought-provoking read. . . . Highly recommended."—Choice
". . . an interesting and thought-provoking addition to the literature on gender in science.Vol. 114.4 January 2009"—Catherine Riegle-Crumb, University of Texas, Austin

Jill M. Bystydzienski is Director of the Women's Studies Program and Professor of Sociology at Iowa State University.
Sharon R. Bird is Associate Professor of Sociology and an affiliate of the Women's Studies Program at Iowa State University.