Indicadores da participação feminina em ciência e tecnologia

Abstract: Nowadays, in Brazil, the role of women in science is a reality, but it is still essential to develop studies on their roles in academia. This work evaluates the gender situation in science and technology, focusing on the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, as a case study. Data about the female insertion in research groups in Brazil were collected using the Directory of Research Groups in Brazil published by the CNPq (the National Counsel for Scientific and Technological Development). The UFSCar situation was closely examined using the institutional website and also the site of the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology (IBICT). It is supposed that, in Brazil, women working in science will soon represent the major group. It should be mentioned that, according to the above mentioned Directory data, women were 39% of the scientists in 1995 and this percentage increased to 47% in 2004. Taking into account the situation at UFSCar, it can be said that women are 39.3% of the academic staff, occupy 1/3 of the command positions, and constitute 55% of the students. However, there are still room for increments of women participation in highly reputed academic positions and research areas. The full release of female potential is strategic for further advancements in science. The Brazilian scene must be better evaluated by investigating the women participation in other universities and research centers.