Women in Physics

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this study was to investigate why women are highly underrepresented within the field of physics around the world. The study was mainly conducted through qualitative interviews with adolescent girls and it aimed to shelter more than just a local perspective; therefor the interviews were performed in three different schools, in three different countries; one in Bukoba, Tanzania, one in Guelph, Canada, and one in Vellinge, Sweden. This international standpoint provided a profounder understanding to this worldwide concern. There were many similarities between the responses at the three schools, but there were also numerous differences. The girls in Bukoba suggested that women do not have the confidence to study a hard subject like physics, while the girls in Vellinge and Guelph believe that women chose not to study physics due to old stereotypes and prejudgements, and the fact that they do not want to be part of a minority. A portion of the study will reflect on potential solutions to this problematic unbalance, which includes how to inspire more women to enter the field of physics.