In many developing, Muslim-majority countries, a larger proportion of women are studying and pursuing engineering and computing careers than in the U.S. This so-called STEM gender gap intrigues Erin Cech, an assistant professor of sociology in LSA, whose work was cited in a November 9 Slate magazine article examining the rising number of female scientists and engineers in countries like Indonesia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

Cech studies the processes by which inequality becomes entrenched in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professions. Recently, she collaborated on a study showing that in more developed and affluent countries, fewer eighth-grade girls say they like math and science or want jobs in STEM professions, as compared to eighth-grade girls in developing nations.

Click here to read more from Slate about the STEM gender gap and Erin Cech’s research.