Ph.D. in physics as a hurdle race, and the "glass hurdles" for women

TL;DR

This paper examines the various psychological, social, and economic barriers faced by physics Ph.D. students in Israel, highlighting gender-specific challenges termed 'glass hurdles' and proposing solutions for gender equality.

Contribution

It identifies and analyzes gender-related barriers in physics doctoral studies and offers recommendations to eliminate these obstacles for women.

Findings

Gender discrimination and harassment are significant hurdles for women.

Pregnancy and parenthood pose unique challenges for female physicists.

Recommendations include policy changes to promote gender equality.

Abstract

On their way to an academic career in physics, Ph.D. students have to overcome difficulties at many levels. Beyond the intellectual challenge, there are also psychological, social and economic barriers. We studied the difficulties experienced by physics Ph.D. students in the Israeli universities, with special attention to gender-related issues. Among the hurdles that are much more significant for women than for men -- that we call ``the glass hurdles" -- we find gender-related discrimination, sexual harassment, physiological and psychological health issues, and challenges related to pregnancy and parenthood. We make recommendations for ways to confront and remove these barriers in order to provide female physicists with an equal opportunity to succeed.