Glossary and Detailed Descriptions

• Gender
  • is used in this questionnaire to mean the gender/sex you identify as.
  • The option for “other” is to allow non-binary genders to identify themselves and be included in this survey at a basic level. We realise this option covers many genders. Our focus, for the purpose of this survey only, is to identify the barriers of people who identify more with the female gender or whose experiences reflect those of women generally. In future, larger surveys, we may be able to consider all aspects of gender more widely.
• Working age
  • is a descriptor intended, in the context of this survey, to apply to someone who could be employed as a STEM professional, assuming they have achieved the basic qualification.
• First university level degree
  • is used to mean a bachelor’s level degree (BA, BSc, BEng/MEng) or other officially agreed (e.g. by your scientific society or professional institution) equivalent to ISCED 2011 Level 6 achieved through training or relevant work experience.
• Professional level income
  • is meant to mean the level of income that a full-time professional, that is anyone exercising a profession or vocation that calls for intellectual or manual skills which includes professors, scientific researchers, doctors, consulting engineers, may be reasonably expected to earn in your region. 
• Family/domestic/caring responsibilities
  • means the tasks related to caring for children and other dependents, meal preparation and shopping, laundry and cleaning.
• Affirmative Action
  • is the social policy to protect and support members of minority groups intended to end and correct the effects of a specific form of discrimination.
• Quota System
  • is the social policy which gives preference to protected group members (historically unfairly treated due to their sex, class or race) to correct the inequality in hiring, studying or social participation.