Evaluations of applicants for a leadership position in a male-dominated academic field: the role of gender and race

The current study analyzed how gender and race play a role in the hiring process of candidates for a male-dominated position in academia. This research looked at perception differences when the candidates were male versus female and White versus Hispanic/Latinx. Specifically, this research focused on these differences when the candidates were applying to be the head of a computer science department at a university. Using the Goldberg-paradigm methodology, participants were shown a fictitious resumé for a candidate and asked about the candidate’s perceived hireability, likeability, competence, and warmth. Participants were also asked to assign the candidate a salary from a list of options. All hypotheses except for two (female candidates were rated as warmer and more likeable than their male counterparts) were refuted. There were significant main effects for both gender and race, however, no significant interactions were found.