Women in STEM: Addressing the gender imbalance

The research is a compilation of several years of data gathering, elucidating the barriers that women encounter and highlighting the support mechanisms that can be bolstered to create a more inclusive environment in STEM industries. It also provides a comprehensive insight into how women in STEM perceive their future careers, their attitudes towards workplace diversity, and the influence of societal changes on their career choices.

Who are STEM Women?

STEM Women is an organisation dedicated to connecting employers from various STEM-related industries with female students and recent graduates. Founded with the mission to address the gender imbalance in STEM fields, STEM Women organises networking and recruitment events, conducts research projects, and provides job boards, and digital marketing services. The organisation's overarching goal is to inspire and support women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in STEM, thereby contributing to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The history of STEM Women is rooted in the recognition that women are significantly underrepresented in STEM professions. According to the paper, women currently make up just 26% of the STEM workforce in the UK, with even lower percentages in technology (19%) and engineering (12%) roles. Since its inception, STEM Women has aimed to create a supportive community for women in STEM, identify role models, and develop a pipeline of diverse talent.

The whitepapers produced by STEM Women over the past five years have been instrumental in fostering a better understanding of the underrepresentation of women in STEM and advocating for a more inclusive industry.

Key findings of the 2024 whitepaper

The whitepaper's findings highlight several critical areas impacting women in STEM. One of the most encouraging findings is that 80% of respondents reported being encouraged to study and work in STEM, indicating a strong sense of belonging among women at the university level. This is a positive trend, suggesting that efforts to inspire young women to pursue STEM careers are bearing fruit.

However, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on career decisions cannot be overlooked. The whitepaper reveals that 65% of respondents stated their career decisions had been impacted by the pandemic, underlining the long-lasting effects of this global event on the lives of students and recent graduates. This impact is seen in delayed further study, inability to gain work experience, higher rates of redundancy, and a reduction in hiring.

Another important finding is the career confidence among respondents. The whitepaper reports an average career confidence score of 71%, showing steady levels of optimism and resilience among this cohort of students and recent graduates. This is a promising indicator of the preparedness and self-assurance of women entering the STEM workforce.

When it comes to future representation, 52% of respondents expect to see significant positive changes in the representation of women in STEM over the next ten years. This optimism is supported by the growing visibility of initiatives aimed at encouraging and supporting women in STEM, as well as a general societal acceptance of the need for gender equality.

The whitepaper also explores the impact of AI on future careers. A significant 66% of respondents believe AI will positively impact their careers. This finding suggests that women in STEM are not only aware of the technological advancements but are also optimistic about leveraging these technologies to enhance their career prospects.

However, the cost-of-living crisis in the UK is a considerable concern for many respondents. The report indicates that 84% of respondents noted the crisis is affecting their career decisions, with many prioritising higher-paying jobs to meet their financial needs. This economic pressure is shaping career choices and influencing the sectors and industries that women are considering.

A detailed look at the whitepaper

Equality and diversity in STEM

The importance of diversity initiatives is a recurring theme in the whitepaper. Over four years, an average of 83% of respondents stated that diversity initiatives are either 'extremely important' or 'important'. However, there are concerns about the authenticity of these initiatives. Many respondents highlighted the need for diversity initiatives to be genuine and not merely 'tick-box' exercises. Authentic commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is crucial for making women feel valued and comfortable in the workplace.

Belonging in STEM

The majority of respondents feel a sense of belonging in STEM, often influenced by supportive families, educational environments, and single-sex schools. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents indicated that they felt they 'fit in' on their STEM course at university, and 80% felt they had been encouraged to study or work in STEM. This sense of belonging is essential for the retention of women in STEM fields. However, challenges such as underrepresentation and discrimination persist, particularly for women of colour.

Workplace expectations

Hybrid working is the preferred arrangement among respondents. The whitepaper reveals that 67% of respondents expect their first job to be hybrid, with only 1% expecting to be fully remote and 32% expecting to work in an office full time.

Furthermore, 79% of respondents indicated they would prefer a hybrid working model, citing benefits such as better work-life balance, increased productivity, and support for mental and physical health. These findings suggest that flexibility in working arrangements is crucial for attracting and retaining women in STEM.

Barriers to success

The Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis are significant barriers impacting career choices and opportunities. The whitepaper reports that 65% of respondents felt their future careers had been impacted by the pandemic, leading to delayed further study, inability to gain work experience, and higher rates of redundancy. The cost-of-living crisis is also a significant factor, with 84% of respondents noting that it is affecting their career decisions. Many respondents are prioritising higher-paying jobs over job satisfaction due to financial pressures.

The lack of network or contacts is identified as the most significant barrier to career success. In 2023, 28% of respondents chose this as their biggest perceived barrier, an increase from previous years. Other significant barriers include strong competition (16%) and lack of experience (24%). Interestingly, the concern over 'lack of confidence' has decreased, with only 7% of respondents citing it as a major barrier.

Impact of AI

The rapid development of generative AI and its impact on the workplace is another critical area explored in the whitepaper. The majority of respondents (66%) see AI as having a positive impact on their careers, highlighting benefits such as assistive technology, increased efficiency, and the removal of mundane tasks. Only 18% of respondents thought that AI was likely to put their career at risk. This positive outlook on AI suggests that women in STEM are not only aware of technological advancements but are also optimistic about the opportunities these technologies present.

Career confidence and future representation

The whitepaper reports an average career confidence score of 71% among respondents, an increase from the previous year. This positive trend indicates that female STEM students and graduates are increasingly confident about their career prospects. Additionally, 52% of respondents expect to see significant positive changes in the representation of women in STEM over the next ten years, with 44% expecting moderate change. This optimism reflects the impact of initiatives aimed at encouraging and supporting women in STEM.

Careers events and their impact

The whitepaper highlights the significant impact of careers events organised by STEM Women. From 2019 to 2022, the percentage of respondents who said that a STEM Women event had introduced them to new career paths grew from 58% to 78%. In 2023, this positive response grew to 91%. Additionally, 92% of respondents indicated that they are more likely to apply to a company they heard present at a careers event. These findings underscore the importance of authentic engagement and representation at careers events in influencing the career choices of female STEM students and graduates.

These findings highlight the progress made in encouraging women to pursue STEM careers and the optimism about future representation. However, significant barriers such as the lack of networks, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis remain.

Summary of the report

• 80% of respondents encouraged to study/work in STEM.
• 65% impacted by Covid-19.
• 71% average career confidence score.
• 52% expect significant positive change in women's representation in STEM.
• 66% see AI as beneficial.
• 84% affected by the cost of living crisis.
• 83% find diversity initiatives important.
• Majority prefer hybrid working.
• Main barriers: lack of network/contacts, strong competition, lack of experience.