Physics and Gender

Education facts

Code: MNXB03

<p>Why is it that physics, which is considered objective and not affected by who is doing the research, teaching and learning, is so dominated by men among its practitioners? Why do so many groups of people select not to come to physics - or to leave the area? Could the explanation be found in the culture of our labs and institute? Or is it deeper - in the subject and how it is represented? How do we make physics more welcoming for a larger part of the population?</p><p>In this course we will try to address these and similar questions, by looking at and discussing the wealth of gender science applied to physics. The course will consist of two parts:</p> <h3>1. Introduction to gender science and its application to physics (4.5 ECTS).</h3> <p>This part is an introduction to gender science and how it can be applied to science in general and physics in particular. We are in this part discussing different fields of physics, such as learning and teaching of physics, the history of physics, the knowledge production and culture of physics. To better understand segregation, balance of power, culture and knowledge production in physics, we will use quantitative and statistical data, as well as qualitative analyses based on socio-psychological, anthropological and sociological studies.</p> <h3>2. Project on gender perspective on physics, 3 ECTS</h3> <p>In this part you will, alone or in a small group, carry out a project where you either analyse your own activities in physics or your own department, or perform a literature study on some relevant field for the course.</p> <h2>Course design</h2> <p>The teaching consists of lectures, group work and project work. The course is net distributed and is given via internet, but the course includes optional seminars and lectures on campus in Lund or other higher education institution in Scandinavia. Participation in group work and project work and thereto integrated teaching is compulsory. </p> <p>The courses is given at 25% speed during the entire semester of spring 2023. The course is given by Lund University but is a collaboration with Stockholm University and supported by NordForsk.</p><p>https://canvas.education.lu.se/courses/20692</p>

Entry requirements

Admission to the course requires at least 90 credits in physics, physics didactics, mathematics or an equivalent discipline for example the three first semesters on an undergraduate education in physics, or an equivalent discipline and English 6/B.

Education offerings

Each offering has its own dates and conditions. Closed offerings are retained as history and do not mean that a new application is open.

• Physics and Gender

  Lund University

  Start date: 19 January 2026

  End date: 7 June 2026

  Pace of study: 25 %