I hear Florida is nice this time of year...

We all know the sad statistics about women in sciences.  While we ladies are going to school and getting our degrees at almost the same rate of the guys, our career progression looks like this:

Instead of like this:

  



Women account for 48% of graduates, 43% of Asst Profs, 37% of Assoc Profs, 22% of Full Profs, 19% of Division / Section Chiefs, 13% of Chairs, and 13% of Deans.

Another interesting trend is the "graying" of science.  Today, the average age of an NIH PI is 51 compared to 39 in 1980.  But in reality, the graying really refers to white males.  Over 1/3 of male researchers are over the age of 55; less than 20% of women that age remain in academia. The data is quite similar when you look at racial diversity. 1/3 of white scientists (ie: male) are over 55 while only 17% of non-white scientists can qualify for AARP.    

This combination of increased age and decreased diversity leads to academic research leadership teams that look like this:

And this:

And this:

Lot's of Important People have weight in with Very Important Ideas about this.  Understandably, many focused on babies and motherhood.  Or, even worse, aptitude <<shudder>>.  However, I have a different theory.  It's all about life after science. Or, rather, the lack thereof for many academic researchers. 

Since there are generally no proscribed retirement ages in University settings and the NIH appears to be happy to reward the silver-haired set, there is simply no reason for academic researchers to give up the pipets.  According to the US census bureau, the average age of retirement in the US is 62.  For most professionals, that means it is time to start taking extended vacations in South Florida.  But for scientists? The 50s and 60s are the  peak funding years from NIH funding. Why leave when the party is still going?? 

So...what to do....what to do.... I know! How about a simple thing like incentivize retirement?  Give people a reason to move on.  A pension, a retirement fund, benefits, whatever. Make it worth their while to LEAVE! 

But first you want evidence that my plan will work?  How about this:

  

 Or this?

The CDC and the NSF.  Two organizations that offer employees old-fashioned pensions with retirement ages between 55 and 65. And people take them (and retire to academia....but I digress). 

I propose that a direct result of incentivizing retirement is more upword mobility for younger and more diverse scientists.

These two organizations also demonstrate that there is no lack of diverse talent to fill these leadership roles. 

Another group that seems to be able to find a range of scientists to fill their missions?

Now that's some rock-star science.