A study suggests women are discontinuing physics study because of their high school teachers' attitudes

The University of Auckland's physics investigator Dr Dion O'Neale says it's well known females are under-represented in university physics.

He says it's not that females aren't doing well or showing interest, they are choosing to take other paths such as medical science and bio science.

O'Neale says science teachers play a big role in influencing students.

He says female students who have had positive science teachers are more likely to stay involved in physics at university.