Raising awareness of the HERstory of STEM

The event was a celebration of 10 years of STEMettes, a social enterprise encouraging girls, young women and non-binary people to pursue careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths), and the march across the Ladies Bridge, named in honour of the unrecognised women who helped with its construction in the 1930s, marked the beginning of a year long calendar of free events and activities throughout England.

Electronic Specifier’s Sheryl Miles caught up with Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, CEO and Head STEMette, and Dr Laura Norton, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), to reflect on how the balance of women in STEAM careers is shifting, what more can be done and the work STEMettes and the IET are doing to get the industry to the next level.

What do you hope the 2023 events will achieve?

Anne-Marie: We’ve supported over 60,000 girls, young women and non-binary people interested in STEM over the last 10 years. This year we have many celebratory free STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and STEAM events planned around the UK for people of all ages.

We’re shining a light on what we can all do to improve STEM equity and equality for young people with a series of roundtable discussions taking place in London, Newcastle and Birmingham. We want to achieve a change in social norms and give all young people the chance to make an informed decision about their relationship with STEM & STEAM careers.

How do you feel the march across the Ladies Bridge went today?

Anne-Marie: It was amazing. Hundreds of people joined us to show that they support our campaign to raise awareness about women in STEM who are excluded from the UK curriculum. Brothers, fathers, friends and other allies were also keen to show their support. Families had a wonderful time and told us they were amazed to learn about the women, past and present, who were behind some of the most fantastic scientific discoveries and the construction of Waterloo Bridge.

Laura: It’s been truly inspiring to see so many women, children and non-binary people come together to raise awareness about women in STEM. Watching young people having conversations about the incredible things women have done to change our world for the better is what today is all about. It’s also been about shining a light on the amazing work women did on the rebuild of Waterloo Bridge in the 1930s that was never recognised – today was for them too.

As a woman who has studied, trained and worked in science for the first half of her career, I know only too well the impact that environment, culture and role models – or lack of – can have. Events like today are vital to showcase the breadth of diversity, and for young people to see themselves in STEM careers.

Was there a specific event that spurred you to found STEMettes?

Anne-Marie: I set up STEMettes after inadvertently attending a ‘big women in tech’ conference in the US and noticing that I was a woman in tech, in a shrinking minority. Given the increasingly important role that tech and the outputs of STEM play in society, it’s dangerous and incorrect that we don’t have the perspectives, experiences and talent of all genders creating tech. That needs to change, and we need to ensure that young people know and can see the HERstory in STEM that has gone before them.

I understand you support Neurodiversity in engineering. How important is it that the engineering workforce is as diverse as possible?

Laura: We know that currently the engineering and technology sectors are not as diverse or as inclusive as they can and should be, but we are committed to supporting neurodiverse engineers and technicians to excel in their career.

It is not only morally right to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to be involved and succeed, but to improve our world, shape our future and solve complex global challenges, we need to include diversity of talent and knowledge.We know that diversity leads to creativity, innovation and collaboration which are the vital skills needed to engineer a better world.

The UK currently faces a nationwide skills shortage threatening our industry, and to address this we must support equal opportunity for all and be a truly inclusive community. As one of the largest PEIs, we have a responsibility and opportunity to do something about it. Collectively we must champion diversity in STEM through highlighting the incredible people already working in the sector today.

It’s imperative that we champion diversity in STEM through our inspiring role models and shine a spotlight on the incredible women – past and present – to eliminate the damaging and misconceived stereotypes and show young people just how exciting, creative and life-changing working in this industry can be.

How important is it that the government are now actively encouraging STEM in schools?

Anne-Marie: It is essential. Some good work has been done, but we 100% can do better. That’s why we commissioned a survey with the British Science Association which found that one in three young people say they haven’t or don’t remember being taught about a woman scientist in the past two years.*

It’s great if you have a teacher who has taken it upon themselves to make sure to include women in STEM role models as part of their teaching, but what about all those other students who aren’t so fortunate? Let’s build it into the curriculum so that it is incorporated into their day-to-day learning.

Laura: Teaching children vital skills in engineering from an early age is so important as it allows them to understand the real-world applications of subjects like science, maths and design and technology. It also provides them with more opportunities to realise their passions and gives them access to a greater pool of career opportunities.

We need to ensure there are clearer learning outcomes for these subjects by embedding engineering into the mainstream curriculum. The IET’s Engineering Kids’ Futures campaign is calling for Government to help tackle the UK’s engineering skills shortage by embedding engineering into current primary and secondary school learning.

We need to empower more young people to think about a possible career in engineering and technology to futureproof the next generation of engineers and technologists.

What challenges have you encountered along your journey?

Anne-Marie: Who hasn’t had challenges on their journey to date. Challenges abound – from discrimination to mistakes, lack of resources to short timeframes and deadlines. For me, each challenge and mistake is an opportunity to learn – about myself and about the world. I take all these learnings and apply them as I approach new challenges.

Did you have any role models growing up? If so, who were they?

Anne-Marie: It’s no secret that I am a massive fan of Dr Gladys West – so much so that I dressed up as her on the march! Gladys is an American mathematician who worked on the mathematics that underpins GPS. Recently I was lucky enough to interview her for Radio 4’s Today programme – that was a dream come true moment.

What words of encouragement could you offer to someone who has the passion for the tech industry, but who hasn’t got the grades to feel confident about pursuing a STEM-related career?

Anne-Marie: We’re very clear that STEM is not just for the A-grade student. We need to bust this myth once and for all. Not everyone in the industry passed their GCSEs. Many folks have taken various paths and attained various grades and are able to contribute very well to innovation, science & technology.

Making mistakes and having failures is all part of the process. Also, taking a multidisciplinary approach is key. It’s exciting to see where ballet meets maths and how code can blend with poetry. That’s why STEAM is becoming more relevant than ever before.

My message to young people is that there is no single pathway to a STEM-related career. There are many ways to make it happen and STEMettes is here to help!

*Stemettes and the BSA commissioned a survey in January 2023 via OnePoll for Future Forum - a programme that gives young people a chance to have their views heard on science, new technologies and other issues. One thousand 14-to-19-year-olds took part in the survey from across the UK.