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IZOLDA TAKÁCS: THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY ineguality-generating gender stereotypes present even among the ranks of scientists, and the factors which were beneficial or detrimental with regards to these careers. I have also been looking to find those aspects of the detrimental factors which can be traced back to gender discrimination. Furthermore, I have sought to discover how the female DSc and/or academician members ofthe MTA overcame the hindrances put in place by traditional role expectations, and how they eventually managed to break through the ‘glass ceiling’, and what all this meant in terms of compromises or difficulties. All of the above helps to find out whether their life and career developments differ from the norm in any way. From a thematic perspective, adhering to the previously outlined hypothesis, and with regards to the above statements, the book aims to analyse two distinct areas. 1. The theoretical framework, i.e. the particular social space determining the hierarchical system of workplace apparati. Thus I have outlined the basic notions and ideas used within this area by articulating the definitions circulating in the most current literature. Beside a brief contemplation on the subject’s legal background, the theoretical part of the volume has been divided into philosophical, sociological aspects. Further detailed are the scientific professions tied closely to the topic, as well as the theoretical framework of SSK (the sociology of scientific knowledge). My aim has been to create a theoretical foundation to address the problem at its roots. I have deemed it important to introduce the hidden reasons behind the visible barriers, the manifesta of the male-female hierarchy, the sources of the phenomenon, the origins of the theoretical basis. 2. Secondly, the research studies the apparatus of the workplace, i.e. what kind of hierarchical social/institutional structure/s the women are integrated into, when they step out of the context of family into a larger territory. It also introduces the election system and structure of the MTA (how it has transformed since the gestation of the Academy, and how the elections have developed) as well as taking special note of the typical women and social policies, of state socialism. This lets us see how much tradition allows or hinders women to enter the Academy, which in turn shows how many barriers have stood in the way of the (scientific) careers of women, and what those are specifically. Finally, the correlations between the theoretical and pragmatic parts are highlighted with the assistance of semi-structured interviews recorded with female scientists (academicians and DSc Doctors of the MTA). The chapters thus present a comprehensive picture of the scientific careers of women and the overall situation in Hungary. The aim of the research has also been to pinpoint those particular spots where the career of a female scientist grinds to a halt, and what the reason/s for that is/are. * 10°
