Portrayals of Female Scientists in the Mass Media

End Times for a Media History Paradigm

Bibliographic Data

ID23741237
AuthorsJocelyn Steinke (0000-0001-9332-6955, corresponding author)
Year2012
Publication date2012-12-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeCHAPTER
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/9781444361506.wbiems070
OpenAlexW1559675091
ISBN9781444361506
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited53

Scholarly interest in media portrayals of female scientists has emerged as a focus of media studies research because such portrayals (1) reflect cultural views and trends related to the status and roles of women in the workforce and society, and (2) are potential sources of information and influence about future professional roles for children and young adults. This chapter traces the historical underrepresentation and gender stereotyping found in portrayals of women scientists in the mass media and describes the role these media portrayals play as factors that can limit the representation and status of women in the science, engineering, and technology (SET) workforce. This chapter also explores contemporary portrayals of female scientists that challenge gender‐stereotyped claims of science as a masculine domain and examines the potential of these more progressive portrayals to broaden the participation of women in SET.

Journalism · Mass media · Media studies · Political science · Representation (politics) · Set (abstract data type) · Sociology · Women in science · Workforce · Animal and Plant Science Education · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Computer Science · Gender Studies · Law · Psychology · Science Education and Perceptions