On February 25, 2016, CWIL hosted Professor Pat Chew, the Salmon Chaired Professor and Distinguished Faculty Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and a University Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award recipient. Chew discussed her research on the effect of judges’ gender in their decision-making, and specifically in gender discrimination cases.
Drawing from empirical findings, Chew explained that gender can make a difference in sexual discrimination cases. Patterns emerge in the results of certain cases, such as sexual assault cases.
There is increased scrutiny or concern on a judge’s race and/or gender when presiding over sex discrimination cases. Chew offers an alternative view that of thinking about these findings: not to fear these differences but rather anticipate insights and better-formed results as the judiciary diversifies.
“We would think positively and constructively about the fact that individuals bring to bear their different backgrounds in judicial decision-making…So why not apply this to gender? Why not apply this positive thinking about the judge’s gender as we would a judge’s background?”
Read more here about Professor Chew and her research.
