Although we are not economists, I thought this article in the New York Times might be of interest to some of you. Economics, like philosophy, has a larger gender gap than most of the social sciences and humanities. This article describes how women economists do not receive the same credit their male peers do for collaborative work. I wonder what sort of parallels there might be in philosophy.

Jasmine has shared two wonderful links to studies documenting a connection between evaluation of professors and gender.  One is by Professor Ben Schmidt at Northeastern University.  He made an interactive chart that shows how often certain words are used to describe male and female professors across different disciplines, including philosophy, using data from RateMyProfessor.com Find the chart at Gendered Language in Teacher Reviews.  A related link, “Is the Professor Bossy or Brilliant?” was recently published in the NY Times.

At our latest gathering we brainstormed ways to review papers written by members of U-POW, discussed setting up a reading group for the winter quarter (Sally Haslanger’s Resisting Reality was a popular choice, as were papers written by women in traditional philosophical areas of specialization), and chowed down on pasta, salad, fruits, cheese and cookies.  We were happy to welcome several new members to the group!

Amanda Calzada’s  poem  was inspired by u-POW.  In May 2014, it was on display at the Pence Gallery in downtown as part of the UCD Ellen Hansen creative scholarship entries collection.  We’ve posted it here with Amanda’s permission.

Philosop(her)

Oh Reason, how I love you, your logic I adore

Praise to thy thoughtful wonder, abstract and depth

Never ever the essence of me, my mind, will you ignore

For it does not follow to deem a gender intellectually inept

Share your wisdom and consistency with this entire human race

Remind them that in the context of rationale, gender is blind

Encourage them to imagine, to think at Logic’s pace

To look not with their eyes at another, but with their mind

Help them to stimulate discussion, respect opinions of all

Forgo the preconceived notions, the popularized stereotypes

Tear down these inhibiting, stunting mental walls

Hand me a pen, please, but need it not be pink

For I need a means to celebrate, but foremost, articulate

Hand me a paper to preserve these thoughts of mine in ink

So that this mentality may dissipate as I attempt to educate

Let us not thrust woe upon man, nor inhibit all that Reason can be

Let us invite every being to this party they call “philosophy”