Mary Frank Fox, Professor in the School of Public Policy, presented her research on "Women in Academic Science in the United States" at the in June 2009 Science Forum of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Fox was selected to present social science perspectives on women in science for the U.S.

In her presentation, Fox focused upon 1) the ways that key social-organizational features of academic work (patterns of speaking about research; ratings of human and material resources; and departmental climate) are consequential for significant status in science and engineering, 2) the ways in which experiences with these features vary for women and men faculty, and 3) ways that institutional practices and policies, reflecting these features, may be improved toward greater equity for the full participation and status of both women and men in academic science and engineering.

The JSPS is the major Japanese funding and policy setting agency for science. The Forum brought together researchers and policy makers to highlight how gender is a key issue for scientific advancement in the U.S., Japan, Scandinavia, and throughout the world. The invited audience represented governmental, scientific, and international communities.