67% of Europeans don't believe women have the skills to be scientists

A new survey from L'Oreal looks at the public's perception of female scientists with shocking results. Particularly if you live in China

If you ask a kid to draw a scientist, they will draw a "mad scientist" with sticking up hair in a white lab coat, probably holding a test tube containing some evil-looking smoking liquid: an amalgam of Einstein and Frankenstein. Oh yes, and they'll be male. Based on new research, this stereotype isn't going anywhere. The L'Oreal Foundation have just published the results of a survey they carried out across Europe, asking around 5000 people their views and perceptions of scientists. The answers shocked me.

Based on the responses recorded in the study, it would seem that overall 67% of Europeans think that women do not possess the required skill set in order to achieve high-level scientific positions (the figure is 64% specifically for the UK). Meanwhile, in China an absolutely staggering 93% believe that women aren't cut out to be scientists.