Nationally, only about 20 percent of physics doctorate holders are women. But there are signs that women are making progress.
For the first time in the history of Yale University, the incoming class of physics doctoral students, who will likely graduate in 2027 or 2028, will include more women than men.
This fall, 18 women and 17 men will begin their pursuits of doctoral degrees in physics at Yale. By comparison, the incoming classes of 2018 and 2019 both included just three women, and in 2020, 13 women began to pursue their doctorates in physics at Yale.
Simon Mochrie, the director of graduate admissions for the physics department and a professor of physics and applied physics, said this year’s applicant pool was especially competitive, with more applicants than previous years. The department received 563 applications, which is up from 480 applicants last year.
Emma Castiglia, chair of graduate students in Yale Women in Physics+, a group fostering community among women and gender minorities in physics, applied physics and astrophysics, told the Yale Daily News: “I just hope that the department itself continues to make structural changes to be a more diverse, open community, instead of expecting the newer members to be the ones driving the change.”