Abstract:
Neural engineering is an emerging and multidisciplinary field in which engineering approaches are applied to neuroscience problems. Women are underrepresented in engineering fields, and indeed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields generally. Underrepresentation of women is particularly notable at later academic career stages, suggesting that even though women are interested in the field, barriers exist that ultimately cause them to leave. Here, we investigate many of the obstacles to women\'s success in the field of neural engineering and provide recommendations and materials to overcome them. We conducted a review of the literature from the past 15 years regarding the experiences of women in academic careers, as well as reports on the number of women in fields closely related to neural engineering from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Additionally, we interviewed six women in neural engineering who are involved in initiatives and outreach concerning the inclusion and experiences of women in engineering. Throughout the literature and interviews, we identified common themes spanning the role of identity and confidence, professional relationships, career-related hurdles, and personal and professional expectations. We explore each of these themes in detail and provide resources to support the growth of women as they climb within the field of neural engineering.
摘要:
神经工程是一个新兴的多学科领域,其中工程方法被应用于神经科学问题。女性在工程领域的代表性不足,事实上,在科学中,技术,工程,和数学(STEM)领域一般。在后来的学术生涯阶段,妇女代表性不足尤其显著,暗示即使女性对这个领域感兴趣,障碍的存在最终导致他们离开。这里,我们调查了女性在神经工程领域成功的许多障碍,并提供了克服这些障碍的建议和材料。我们对过去15年中有关女性在学术生涯中的经历的文献进行了回顾,以及美国国家科学基金会(NSF)和美国工程教育学会(ASEE)关于与神经工程密切相关领域的女性人数的报告。此外,我们采访了6名神经工程学女性,她们参与了关于女性在工程学中的融入和经验的倡议和外展活动。在整个文学和访谈中,我们确定了共同的主题,跨越身份和信心的作用,专业关系,与职业相关的障碍,个人和职业期望。我们详细探讨这些主题中的每一个,并提供资源来支持女性在神经工程领域的成长。