Figures released today (14 August 2003) show that the number of girls taking AS and A Level physics fell again, continuing a general downward trend in physics entries. The Institute of Physics is particularly concerned about the big drop in the number of girls taking AS Level physics — a 9 percent decrease compared to 2002. This has dire implications for A2 Level entries by girls next year and the supply of talented physicists to industry in years to come. (The corresponding decrease for boys was less than 4 percent.)
In response, Dr Wendy Kneissl, Programme Leader for Women in Physics at the Institute of Physics said, "It is extremely disappointing that in spite of an overall rise in the number of A level passes achieved by girls this year, so few girls are opting to take physics — less than 2 percent of those passes were in physics. These figures highlight the need for concerted and urgent action. As a first step, the Institute of Physics is launching a study of those schools which are particularly successful in attracting girls to physics."
Dr. Julia King, Chief Executive of the Institute of Physics added that, "The need for physicists is increasing in the high technology sector, the UK is desperately short of physics teachers and physics degrees are increasingly popular with a wide range of employers. A Level physics is also an essential prerequisite for most engineering careers. We need to ask ourselves the question 'where are these physicists going to come from?' Attracting enough of the best minds to these fields means we must find better ways to engage the 50 percent plus of the population that is female. This is not a problem for women, but a cause for concern across the science, engineering and technology community."
For more information about this press release and the Institute of Physics, please contact Caitlin Watson, Public Relations Officer, tel. +44 (0) 20 7470 4814, email caitlin.watson@iop.org. For more Institute of Physics press releases, see http://physics.iop.org/IOP/Press/prlist.html.
The Institute of Physics is a leading international professional body and learned society with over 37,000 members, which promotes the advancement and dissemination of a knowledge of and education in the science of physics, pure and applied. It has a world-wide membership and is a major international player in: scientific publishing and electronic dissemination of physics; setting professional standards for physicists and awarding professional qualifications; promoting physics through scientific conferences, education and science policy advice.
The Institute is a member of the Science Council, and a nominated body of the Engineering Council. The Institute works in collaboration with national physical societies and plays an important role in transnational societies such as the European Physical Society and represents British and Irish physicists in international organisations. In Great Britain and Ireland the Institute is active in providing support for physicists in all professions and careers, encouraging physics research and its applications, providing support for physics in schools, colleges and universities, influencing government and informing public debate.