This workshop organised by the Oxford Q-Step Centre* (OQC) brought together key speakers from Oxford and beyond to discuss gender differences in examinations in the context of courses that include quantitative methods. Both undergraduate degrees in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, as well as History and Politics have a gender discrepancy in finals results. However, the reasons for these differences are not well understood. Could they be due to entry requirements, a lack of course work, biased ways of examining or possibly a greater emphasis on quantitative methods? We attempted to address these questions through two panel sessions. The first focused on best practice for examinations and ways to combat any gender gaps. The second panel was a discussion of experiences from Oxford. The event was chaired by Catherine De Vries Professor of European Politics and Director of the Oxford Q-Step Centre.
- Jane Mellanby – Emeritus Fellow of St Hilda’s College
- Jane Gingrich - Associate Professor of Comparative Political Economy, Magdalen
- Jo-Anne Baird - Pearson Professor of Educational Assessment, St Anne’s
- Janet Dyson - Lecturer and Fellow in Mathematics, Mansfield
- Margaret Stevens - Professor and Tutorial Fellow in Economics, Lincoln
- Sara Smith - Policy Advisor, Equality and Diversity Unit
- Anna Bradshaw - Oxford Student Union Vice President for Women
*The Oxford Q-Step Methods Centre was set up last year with funding from the Nuffield Foundation, ESRC and HEFCE, in order to provide enhanced training for all PPE and History and Politics undergraduates in quantitative methods, through a series of lectures and data labs.