How the masculine nature of science and technology discourages women from entering the fields of science and engineering will be the focus of tonight's speech by feminist scholar Sandra Harding.

Harding will give a speech titled "Feminist Epistemology: Women as Knowers" at 8 p.m. in the HUB Gallery. Harding is the fourth speaker in this year's Six Feminist Lecture Series sponsored by the Women's Studies program.

Harding's research focuses on the philosophy of science from a feminist point of view, said Donna Hughes, an instructor in the department of women's studies.

Harding, a professor of philosophy, heads the women's studies department at the University of Delaware. She is also the author of "The Science Question in Feminism and has published more than 25 articles on feminist issues in science and technology.

Biases exist in science because it is a male-dominated field with mostly male role models, said Kathy Foster, administrative assistant for the department of women's studies.

Since science is seen as objective, logical and reasonable -- traditionally viewed as male traits -- women are discouraged from entering the field, said Hughes, who teaches a course about women and science.

Institutional barriers also discourage women from succeeding in technical areas, she said. For instance, girls receive less attention in math and science classes during high school and are discouraged from taking more challenging courses later.

The Six Feminist Lecture Series now in its third year, is designed to heighten the University community's awareness of pertinent issues in the field of women's studies, Foster said.

This year's series has focused on the role of women in science.