Written by Londa Schiebinger

Stanford University’s Clayman Institute for Gender Research presents its latest research,Dual-Career Academic Couples: What Universities Need to Know, available for download.

Dual-career issues are increasingly important in higher education today. Over 70 percent of faculties are in dual-career relationships; more than a third are partnered with another academic. This trend is particularly strong among women scientists and people in more junior positions. As the number of women receiving Ph.D.s continues to rise, U.S. universities will see an increasing number of high quality candidates for faculty positions partnered with another academic. This presents universities with a challenge, but also a great opportunity to access new candidates and diversify their faculty.

Based on a major survey of full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty at thirteen leading US universities, plus interviews with administrators at eighteen universities, Dual-Career Academic Couples explores the impact of dual-career partnering on hiring, retention, professional attitudes, and work culture in the U.S. university sector. It also makes recommendations for improving the way universities work with dual-career candidates and strengthen overall communication with their faculty on hiring and retention issues. It is vital reading for anyone interested in continuing the strength and competitiveness of US universities.

Lead author Londa Schiebinger, Director of the Clayman Institute and Professor of the History of Science, welcomes questions and comments on the research at gender-email@stanford.edu