Gender disparities in U.S. chemistry textbooks take center stage in a study that examines who is depicted and cited in these foundational resources. With white men overwhelmingly represented in images and citations, the findings highlight the need for inclusivity in educational materials to better reflect the diverse contributions to science. The article underscores how these imbalances shape perceptions of authority and equity in the field.

“I think the story line, if you look through these thousands of pages of text, is that women are undervalued. And that males, particularly White males, are the authority,” says Melanie Nilsson, professor of chemistry at McDaniel College.


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Chemistry textbooks still lack gender and racial representation