Empowering Tomorrow: Celebrating Women in STEM on International Women's Day 2024

In the dynamic landscape of STEM, celebrating the accomplishments of women on International Women's Day 2024 goes beyond recognising their presence; it's about understanding the incredible impact they bring to organisations working in this space. As a female leader myself, navigating the intricate realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), I've come to appreciate not only the necessity but also the unique qualities women contribute to this ever-evolving field.

Research consistently highlights the advantages of diverse teams, emphasising the intrinsic value women bring to the STEM workforce and yet there is still a huge diversity challenge in the workforce.? Over my years at Solutions, I’ve had a number of conversations with students and teachers about some of the challenges that women and girls have in entering that space.? Some of these included:

-?????? Lack of support from parents and teachers.

-??????Difficulty accessing higher and further education institutions

-?????? Lack of confidence in their abilities in STEM subjects (albeit often being more able in many ways).

-?????? A misperception of what STEM careers looks like in practise.

-?????? Not seeing themselves represented in the existing workforce and not having enough role models.

-?????? Not wishing to work in a male-dominated space.

-?????? Men are seen to rise up the ladder more quickly leading to a pay gap.

Almost equally however there is a plethora of opportunities that are available to young women with an interest in STEM.? Like Solutions for the Planet , there are many other fantastic organisations working in this space:

Tech She Can whose vision is for women to be equal members in creating and developing the new technology businesses, products, and services that shape our world, ensuring technology works for all

Stemettes who are on a mission “to Engage,?inform?and?connect?the next generation of women and non-binary people into Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) by showcasing a diversity of people working in STEAM“.

Girl Geeks UK, who, amongst other things, are committed “to inspiring and supporting a strong supply of female scientists, technologists, engineers and innovators to create a legacy of sustainable talent”

And our organisations are making a difference.?

I asked Noorafsha, Non- Exec Director at Solutions for the Planet what she sees as the barriers to young women accessing STEM careers.? Noorafsha works in the School of Engineering at LSBU as an Apprenticeship Skills Coach and she said:

“It was actually quite the opposite for me I’d say, there was a lot of support entering the space and opportunities made available once I graduated, i.e. I always got an interview and was most times offered the job. The challenge I’d say is how disproportionately represented the STEM workforce is, e.g. the direct team I work with is all male and older and if you look at the senior positions of leadership it’s extremely unbalanced/ you hardly see any representation - I’m quite lucky that I get along quite well with my colleagues but it can make you feel like the ‘odd one out’/ isolated. Also probably helps that I am young, but I suppose if I was slightly older there may be hesitancies around my commitment/ how long I would stay around especially with things moving so quickly in STEM/ project-timeline based work.”

Women often enrich teams with unparalleled traits such as empathy, collaboration, and holistic thinking. These attributes play a pivotal role in problem-solving and innovation, driving projects towards more comprehensive and sustainable solutions.

That said, there can be a hesitancy to employing women, however taboo it may be, owing to concerns around their commitment and/or how long they will be around, particularly those of childbearing age.

Empathy, a quality often associated with women, proves invaluable in STEM fields. Understanding the end-users' needs and perspectives is fundamental in creating technology that truly serves society.

Collaboration is another key trait women frequently bring to the table. The interdisciplinary nature of many STEM projects requires effective teamwork, and women excel in fostering cooperative environments. I see this first hand through our team at Solutions.? Our team are agile, creative, compassionate, constructive, caring, brave, vulnerable, challenging, constantly learning and reflective in our approach to working together.? I am very proud to write such wonderful adjectives about the magnificent team of wonderful women I lead.

Women leaders exhibit a propensity for holistic thinking, considering the broader implications of their work. This approach is vital in an era where the impact of technology transcends individual projects, influencing societies on a global scale. ?I have found my propensity for holistic thinking very challenging when I am asked to outline the key benefits of our work to prospective business partners because our work provides value in so many different areas that it doesn’t naturally translate into the siloed way in which many parts of society, including schools and many traditional businesses, operate.? A diverse leadership team, combining the strengths of both genders, is more likely to anticipate and navigate the ethical, social, and environmental dimensions of technological advancements.

As a female leader in STEM, my own experience underscores the transformative power of these traits. Navigating a career path often dominated by men, I've witnessed first hand the positive impact of inclusivity. Encouraging young women to enter STEM fields is not merely a call for diversity; it's an investment in the future, harnessing a wealth of untapped potential that can propel innovation to unprecedented heights.

International Women's Day 2024 serves as a poignant reminder of the progress made and the journey that lies ahead. While we acknowledge the accomplishments, it is crucial to amplify the voices and contributions of women in STEM and advocate for equal representation in leadership positions. The narrative needs to shift from merely including women to actively recognising and valuing the distinct qualities they bring, and creating an environment where both men and women thrive.

In conclusion, this year's #InspiringInclusion theme resonates profoundly in STEM, urging us to embrace and celebrate the diverse perspectives and qualities that women bring to the table. As we commemorate International Women's Day (a few days late!), let us renew our commitment to fostering environments where every individual, regardless of gender, can contribute their unique strengths, ultimately driving STEM towards a future marked by innovation, equality, and unparalleled success.

As always, please comment or message me with your thoughts. I love to hear them!

Yours with hope and gratitude,

Jen