Portuguese Women in Science and Technology (S&T): Some Gender Features Behind MSc. and PhD. Achievement

obvious deterring feature, referred by cc. 1/3 of the surveyed women (no
man appointed this obstacle...); time schedule, teaching/learning
methodology’s and curriculum’s adequacy towards occupational and own
requirements are also much more emphasized by women than by men as
some of the leading difficulties in achieving a PhD.

5. How long does it take to complete a MSc.?

In order to further understanding conditions under which gender
affects post-graduation undergoing, we will try now a more robust analysis
on time required for women and men to complete a MSc.

As previously referred most individuals in our survey were graduate
in scientific fields, only some 7% (6,9%) of them having got a degree in a
more pro-technological field, e.g. Electronics and Automation. The
characterisation we previously made of the Portuguese situation clearly
reveals how women are better and better performing in scientific fields,
closing the gap towards men since compulsory education. Also we
observed the growing role women have being playing in most scientific
graduation and post-graduation fields, such as Mathematics, Physics,
Biology, Chemistry.And we noticed as well their higher concentration
compared to men’s in occupations such as the ones in HE and GOV fields,
some highly qualified jobs where notwithstanding labour conditions and
status are severely marked by precariousness and instability.

Therefore it seems quite probable that undergoing post-graduation
studies, to begin with MSc., will mean for most scientist women the only
way to overcome instability, try to secure a professional career or even

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