Chemistry performs better on gender balance in US than other physical science

New data released by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) indicates that the gender balance is better among doctoral recipients in chemistry at US universities when compared with their counterparts across the physical sciences.

Of 9290 physical sciences PhDs awarded at US universities in 2013, 2491 were in chemistry and almost 40% were granted to women. By contrast, only around 29% of the PhDs awarded in all the physical sciences went to women.

When it comes to citizenship, the data show that 52% of the doctoral recipients in physical sciences were either a US citizen or permanent resident. However, the figure was higher among chemistry PhDs, reaching 58%. In addition, 42% of the doctoral recipients in all the physical sciences were temporary visa holders, versus 36% in chemistry.

Separate data publicised by the NSF examines employment decisions of US doctoral graduates in the fields of science, engineering and health for the academic years 2001–2009. The agency found that overall, 89% of these doctoral graduates reported their intent to live in the US after graduation. For US citizens, roughly 95% intended to stay in the country. The actual proportion of those graduates living in the US in 2010 tracks the expected stay rate.