Celebrating women in policing working in STEM

Today marks Ada Lovelace Day, a day that aims to celebrate women in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).

Ada Lovelace was the world’s first computer programmer. It was in fact the notes of Ada Lovelace that inspired the work of Alan Turing and the creation of the first modern computer.

Her passion for maths and early computer engineering have made her a symbol for modern women in technology.

Today, we’re shining a light on women working in STEM, within policing.

Claire Vickers Pearson, NPCC Data and Analytics Skills Pillar Lead and Head of Data and Information at West Yorkshire Police .

I’m working to build data skills and career pathways within policing, in order to empower our workforce to deliver the best outcomes for the public. I work in collaboration with digital, data and operational professionals to get the right information to the right people, at the right time.

This is to help improve decision making and problem solving, providing insight that enable the fight against crime, the reassurance of the public and the protection of the vulnerable.

Why do you think women should be entering the world of STEM?

To even out the balance! The world and the future hasn’t always been built by all for all. Now, with data and AI revolutions and the pace of change being faster than ever, it’s a great time to get involved and bring a different outlook, shape the future and enrich the solutions to the benefit of all.

What do you see as the challenges posed to women in STEM, particularly in policing?

It’s not surprising to lack confidence when you look around the table and don’t see many other females. Traditionally, policing, digital and STEM fields are male dominated environments. If we don’t show what difference women can make in this area and many others, what will change? We need to be representative of the public we serve in all areas, and that includes women. I have seen vast change in outlooks and opportunity in the 18 years that I have been involved in policing, and with the fabulous work I see from females driving forward the change in the data world, I anticipate I will see much more.

What opportunities are there for women in STEM, in policing?

My world is particularly the data world. I have successful female colleagues in roles that span innovation, analytics and data science, as well as Cyber, and the more ‘traditionally female’ roles around compliance and data sharing. Of course, I’d like to see the balance evened out further still but, there genuinely is no reason at all that any of these roles are out of bounds for women. We need to support each other in achieving our potential, and the jobs of tomorrow that we don’t even know what they are yet!

Your advice for a young girl/women considering a STEM based role, in policing:

Ask that question, make that interjection. There is no reason for others to know better than you. Your opinion and view counts! Do it for yourself, to reach your own aspirations and goals, but also for those other women who are sat there thinking about it

Lindsey Chiswick is the NPCC Lead for Facial Recognition and Director of Intelligence at the Metropolitan Police .

Why do you think women should be entering the world of STEM?

Women make up almost 50% of the world’s population. So of course women should enter the world of STEM.

We need their perspectives and life experiences to contribute to solving real-world challenges. This will help build an equitable and inclusive world.

What do you see as the challenges posed to women in STEM, particularly in policing?

As women are under-represented in STEM, it means there are fewer role models or mentors to guide or them as they navigate their careers.

We can all help here by supporting each other, encouraging champions and building awareness.

What opportunities are there for women in STEM, in policing?

It’s a pretty broad field where you can get involved in all sorts of stuff.

From forensics to open source, robotics and data. It’s also a field that doesn’t really stop.

What is your advice for young girls/women considering a STEM based role, in policing?

Share your interest with your tutors, your family, your friends.

Find advocates who will encourage your passion.

Make technology your hobby –experiment, build stuff and have fun.

Look out for opportunities and keep your options open. Keep knocking on doors and never settle until those doors open.

Claire Darbyshire is the Centre for Data and Analytics in Policing Programme Director

Within my role, I am working with partners in the National Crime Agency (NCA) , UK Home Office , and technology sector to enhance public safety using data.

My team are working to drive data-supported crime prevention, the quicker disruption of crime, better workforce efficiency and data-driven decision making at all levels of our policing service.

Why do you think women should be entering the world of STEM?

Gender diversity across sectors is key to bringing a different lens and perspective to the table.

Women bring alternate life experiences, with cognitive and communication styles that are crucial to robust problem solving.

Society needs to take a diverse approach to the challenges we strive to collectively address. Implementing diversity into solution development is a key element of any organisations success.

What do you see as the challenges posed to women in STEM, particularly in policing?

Historic under-representation of women in the STEM workforce means that many of those leading change in this sector have altered their leadership styles.

I still observe women adjusting their soft skills to enable them to mobilise in this sector.

Ironically, I also see men adjusting their styles to accommodate softer voices and diverse thought, which demonstrates the need for those attributes.

What opportunities are there for women in STEM, in policing?

I see women leading a data revolution, developing technology, creating analytics and crime mapping tools to support prevention and early intervention, keeping people and communities safe. There are already women leading innovation in forensic science, facial recognition and Robotic Process Automation.

There are women leading training and policy development using data science, having a measurable impact on our workforce and population.

These opportunities will grow and evolve alongside technology and thanks to some of our STEM leaders such as Ava Lovelace and the female pioneers that have followed, that growth will continue.

Your advice for a young girl/women considering a STEM based role, in policing:

The benefits of delivering change using STEM in the public sector are immeasurably rewarding.

If you’re as passionate about public service as you are science, there is a place in policing to make a difference. Take a look at our NPCC modernising policing page to see how we are progressing within the sector.

Aimee Smith is the Director of Data at the Metropolitan Police and Co-Chair of the National Police Data & Analytics Board

Why do you think women should be entering the world of STEM?

It is a flexible, dynamic and rewarding place to work. The future is data. Trying to operate at pace and scale using significant digital capabilities and massive data sets is a core part of most businesses today. Having these skills and the diversity of thought, experience and ways of working that women bring is critical.

Too many of our data driven world is male centric, that won’t change (and women and girls won’t get the services and support they need from it) if they aren’t respected, accepted and included.

What do you see as the challenges posed to women in STEM, particularly in policing?

I don’t see the same Women in STEM ratios that trouble others. Gladly, I have lots of women in Data!

The opportunities for women in STEM, in policing?

LOTS!!!

Your advice for a young girl/women considering that field.

Talk to people, a lot. It will give you confidence that you have the skills and experience (and most importantly ideas and perspectives) on how this relatively young capability can build for the sector. I will also demonstrate that there isn’t some qualification and assessment you have to pass before you can join in (women often hold back where men don’t).

Dr Carolyn Lovell is Head of Research for the Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser (OPCSA.) Prior to this, she worked in a number of roles in Forensic Investigation.

Why do you think women should be entering the world of STEM?

Women bring diverse perspectives to problem solving, different life experiences and ways of thinking which lead us to more comprehensive solutions to organisational challenges. The roles in STEM are varied, challenging and require critical thinking, investigative mindsets and give us the opportunity to challenge and consider alternative ways of approaching things. Without women in the field of STEM, innovation would be limited and the world would be seen through a narrow lens.

What do you see as the challenges posed to women in STEM, particularly in policing?

The majority of STEM roles in policing are generally staff positions. This was the case in forensic investigation, where I used to work and there was a high percentage of

women. In the last 30 years I have seen this area become a more female-orientated career path. Other roles within policing include cyber, digital, Counter Terrorism, IT and analytical roles.

Policing requires critical thinking, problem solving, and different perspectives, all skills associated with STEM. The challenge for policing is exploiting these skills and offering flexible approaches to new ways of working in order to attract the best individuals for the roles.

What opportunities are there for women in STEM, in policing?

The Government has set a clear ambition for the UK to become a global science superpower and an ‘innovation nation’. The rapid growth of technology has put pressure on policing as it seeks to sustain the cutting-edge and get ahead of new forms of crime. Expectations that policing will be evidence–based and scientific have increased significantly in recent years. As such science and technology is integral to enhancing our national security, both virtually and physically, so we can strengthen UK policing’s resilience and its ability to deliver an effective and efficient service in a rapidly changing world.

Policing needs to adapt and develop new roles, skills and new science and technology to combat crime, from the physical science to digital and data. This offers new and exciting opportunities for women to explore and apply for.

Your advice for a young girl/women considering a STEM based role, in policing:

If you are considering a role in policing and more specifically the STEM focussed roles, engage with your local police force, attend police open events, career events to identify what roles may be on offer. Police forces offer youth groups, which provide insight and engagement with policing challenges and develops your personal confidence. Consider attending university open days where STEM roles for policing are taught, which will showcase science and technology in current use.

There are many Science and Technology roles that either support policing, through developmental research engaging with the future applications of policing often laboratory based as well as those more within the policing organisation.