Study finds only three women named in UK science exam specifications

Researchers from the University of Cambridge, in partnership with the IncludeHer project, have discovered that just three women are mentioned across UK science exam specifications for students aged 14‑18.

The analysis covered over 40 specifications for GCSEs, A‑levels and Scotland’s National Fives and Highers, examining 224 unique scientists referenced in the curricula. The only women cited are Inge Lehmann and Marie Tharp – both appearing solely in A‑level geology – and Rosalind Franklin, who is mentioned in two biology specifications and is the sole female name at GCSE level.

Lehmann is noted for identifying the Earth’s solid inner core, Tharp for mapping the ocean floor and contributing evidence for continental drift, and Franklin for her x‑ray crystallography work that underpinned the discovery of DNA’s double‑helix structure.

The study highlights that while women have made significant scientific breakthroughs, their contributions are largely absent from mandatory exam content, sending an implicit message about who science is for. The authors argue that introducing relatable female role models into the classroom could boost girls’ confidence and encourage greater participation in scientific subjects at higher levels.

Source: Silicon Republic. Photo: Nothing Ahead / Pexels.