SSA could not be possible without the generous support of Drs. Herbert A. and Betty Lou Lubs and the Science, Society, and the Arts Research Conference Endowment. We are deeply grateful!
The current study investigates the impact of gender and gender expression on evaluations of scientists’ competence and hireability. Prior research shows that female scientists are viewed as less competent than male scientists (Moss-Racusin et al., 2012), and feminine women are viewed as less likely to be scientists than masculine women (Banchefsky et al., 2016). However, research has not yet fully examined the interaction between gender and gender expression on evaluations of competence. Currently, undergraduate participants will read the biography of a student in a biology Master’s program and rate his or her competence and hireability. The student’s sex and interests will be varied such that he or she is a masculine male, masculine female, feminine male, or feminine female. Because competence ratings can impact career choices and opportunities, it is critical to determine if evaluations of competence are influenced by scientists’ gender, gender expression, or a combination of the two.
