Gender Trends and Technology

by Michael C. Mah

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) just named Yale University Provost Susan Hockfield as its newest president -- the first woman ever to hold that position in 140 years. This is momentous in two ways. In one bold stroke, MIT has signaled its direction in two areas critical to the university: helping resolve past issues of gender discrimination and, with Dr. Hockfield's expertise in brain science, accelerating initiatives to blend research in life sciences with MIT's expertise in traditional sciences and engineering.